A Distant Shore

Somewhere sits a cabin on a small secluded lake Where the autumn sunlight glistens through the trees, To the pier is tied a red canoe that bobs within the wake While the maple leaves are dancing in the breeze, My children’s toys will scatter ‘cross a green and luscious yard With a gentle sloping hill down to the shore, It’s so far from the pollution and the noises that have marred All these places where I’ve journeyed to before, The subtle smell of burning leaves is drifting down the hill, From a distant unseen fire far away, It’ll settle in our valley as the breeze dies to a still, On this absolutely perfect autumn day, As the wind regains its blustery form, the scent is soon replaced, By the smell of cooking vegetables and steak, I’ll walk up to the table where the settings must be placed, As the sun dips down across the somber lake, A newly painted porch swing looking down over the water Though the silence interrupted by its squeak, The sounds of children’s laughter coming from my son and daughter From continued games they play of hide and seek, Its here I’ll settle down some day; my wife and kids and me On the shore of this great lake I don’t yet know, But for now I’ll travel all alone across a distant sea With this dream I have to guide me where I go.