Coming to See You

Margaret V.Doran

we left
          much later than we'd planned
it was already past 3:30
we stopped to buy you a present
and tucked it in with the ones that
already filled the back of the car
toys for Matthew; books for you;
a birdhouse for Jeff
we stopped for gas, bought lattes
          and drove on
we counted hawks sitting in trees
          and on posts
          and saw one swoop into a field
          to catch a mouse
a cold wind howled
          but there was no rain
and we were impatient
the landscape changed
          from green and lush
          to snow-capped crags
          to wind-swept dessert
each minute another mile
day changed to dusk
          and dusk to night
          the stars twinkling overhead
          a brilliant moon to light our way
dense fog confused our journey
          cost us precious minutes only
a square of soft orange light
          a welcoming beacon
          framed your waiting son
          looking for young uncles

          and watching for Grandma

Copyright © 2000 Margaret V. Doran All rights reserved.
If you enjoyed this poem, please send her an e-mail here.

Updated March 5, 2000
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