what if i just walked away?
laid my burden down
at your door
pulled my hat down low,
turned, and walked away

without a word

somewhere wolves run in packs,
and whales swim together
and birds fly south, wings
beating in unison

babies are born to young couples
who hold each other in awe
and the homeless man under
the bridge watches the sun rise.

and an old man plays his guitar
on the porch his grandchildren
play in the yard and the coming
night brings the promise

of rain.

they're singing hymns as they
lay him to rest friends holding hands
and the first signs of fall
leaves beginning to turn

a hint of sharpness in the air
somewhere life calls
the painter lays down his brush,
the carpenter his hammer
the farmer his hoe

and the stranger we've ran from
returns with a key nothing left
to say

what if i just walked away?

Eric Cockrell

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/walked-away-7/