red sand underfoot
a winter sun drops, sits on the horizon
evening sky shifts pink, then gray
and the birds slow their song
it is quiet in the empty
we didn't mean for it to take us so long

guiding lights in the distance
a bit farther than we thought we had walked
getting cold in the dark
seeing faces and the people in the park
but the people don't have faces at all

and the time just slips by
we meet others just beginning their trek
but the mountain is too high
if they leave now will they even come back?
are they prepared for the journey?
are they prepared for the long walk home?
are they prepared to see real life?
i'd like to say but i don't know

gt