Refuge Before the End

The sun has sunk beneath the earth,

The air nips at my cheeks,

The rocks crunch beneath my feet,

I pull my coat tighter,

For a sense of warmth,

For a sense of safety.

Left alone while gazing at the stars,

With my dead flashlight in my pocket,

It is up to me to get back home,

With only the aid of the moon.

Aching for warmth,

Aching for familiar scenes,

I wonder how much farther I have to go,

Before I am within the safe confines of my car,

With warm wind blowing in my face.

A yellow light appears,

Far off,

But also close,

I remember a lantern,

At the beginning of the trail.

My destination near,

My hope bounding,

I walk faster,

Into the lantern light,

Letting its rays of refuge fall upon me.