An ember-glow sun sinks through the trees,
Dips down, disappears,
And up comes a shower of sparks
Dancing over the spirited water
Where the roots run deep,
Blinking, saying it’s time to go home.
Pack up the teacup and a banquet of words.
Wrap up a few more stories for the road,
And watch the creatures of the evening, not shy.
Heron passes by, fishing,
And the lantern heralds of the night
Rise up like stars from the ground
To spatter the night sky.
We’ll follow the bright one home.
Steady north.
Eyes lifted up.
Time to go.

—

Speaking of “time to go,” they can sing this when they lay my body in the dust.