Homesick in Medina County

A thousand miles away, my mother is calling me back inside for the night.

Her voice spills into the canyon where, homesick, I am driving south.

As I outrun her call, the sunset is a greater miracle than anything I learned in Sunday school:
Streaks of gold are stretching towards me, divining my wet eyes through mesquite and oak.

I drive away from the sun and sound and trees until the palisades echo my cry of, “Wait.”

Please.
Please wait.
Hold onto
This sound
And light,
And, just,
Wait
A moment longer.

Leave the back door unlocked.
I promise I’m ready to turn around, and
I’m done playing for the night, and
I’m ready to come home.

Medina County, TX
2008