ISSUE: Winter 2004
And one day, when, I will cross
Great Water, walk and reach
that final rise
and find them
singing. There,
in the valley, they all will be.
Forgive me, Grandfather, for wanting
to hear you again
for leaning close to strain
to understand what you are saying.
And, Mother, Father, for expecting
to kiss again your wide hands
even though I still can.
In my breast
pocket I shall keep
the ticket the conductor
sold me
stamped One Wayscaps .
scaps0
That day even rain can’t delay.
And we will sit and rock
and sip our drinks—
watching the sun toward us bring
the red light like an arriving train.
