By way of return
I now have come back...
from waters of sea
to peril of black.
Of days in the sun
upon sea spray of foam…
to fires of hell
near my Golden State home.

Gliding the waters
of unforeseen flame…
carried by ship
to four ports I became.
A spirit of color
in Mexico’s arms…
the music of life
found in tropical charms.

With buckets of beer
woven basket of dreams…
sunning the moments
with sepia cream.
A culture of happiness
poor in its light…
with richness of silver
bejeweled in the night.

Set sail upon wave
back to port of my birth…
holding tight to the memories
for all of their worth.
And yet how this silver
would hence turn to gold…
as the hillsides of fire
now seemed to take hold.

Dreams of what was
were now lost at sea…
as embers of flame
were dancing towards me.
The water I held
was welled in my eyes…
I had none to spout
on the fires demise.

It was ten houses up
just round the bend…
six houses in flame
would come to an end.
I grabbed all the seconds
and pictures that stood…
packed a few memories
the ones that I could.

A suitcase unpacked
still full of sea air…
now mingled with smoke
in exchange for despair.
I twisted the lock
 I left the front door…
wondering if home sweet home
could yet be anymore.

The flames on the hill
were across the street…
it was then that I left
my fate yet to meet.
But the angels remembered
I’d asked for their wing…
as I stood at the bow
of a nautical king.

In darkness of night
through smoke that had reigned…
I had right to come back
to see what now remained.
The door I had locked
was yet still in place…
the home thought for lost
was standing in grace.

On winds of the water
emotion for life…
from winds of the earth
come turmoil and strife.
And yet fallen ashes
on ground they still churn…
I now have come back
by way of return.


© 2007 Copyrights of John W Leko
All Rights Reserved