Homelight

HOMELIGHT
By
Gene McSweeney

Hurry now!
The sun is hiding behind dark, distant hills,
And creeping shadows stretch and grow
Into mysterious caves, and  . . .
Hurry now!
Across the school yard—no big kids!
Through the leaf piles, crisp and crackling.
Was that sound me, or maybe  . . .
Hurry now!
On past big dog—chained or sleeping?
Down the tracks without a miss.
Mom’s surely worried and  Dad will be  . . .
Hurry now!
The cornbread will  be hard—the pintos cold.
Now, the churchyard is all that’s left to cross.
Oh, dear God, make me fast and bold  . . .
Hurry now!
Check both shoestrings! Tie them tight!
Carry me swiftly, Red Ball Jets,
To the warming beam of my homelight.