‘The Long Journey Home’: A Poem by Martin Rizley

The Long Journey Home

I’ve traveled many miles on this long road,
Across cold, barren hills and sweeping plains,
To reach my home and shed my heavy load
And warm my hands where hearthfire’s glow remains.

The wind blew bitterly across my path,
And snowflakes caked my lashes, as the cold
Turned toes to ice cubes in the aftermath
Of winter freezing fast the open wold.

For hours, I tramped along that winding way,
On both sides flanked by frosty underbrush,
And watched each breath rise to the heavens gray,
While all around, there reigned a reverent hush.

Each time I climbed the next white-powdered crest,
I scanned the land for what I hoped to see,
But saw instead, as from an eagle’s nest,
The treeless landscape stretching endlessly.

The pale eye of the setting winter sun
Peered furtively through dimming clouds at eve
Where mingled tones of pink and gray and dun
Enhanced its glory, as it took its leave.

That noble orb shone faintly, like the gleam
That glimmers in the eyes of those who die
In hope, who leave this world in peace and seem
Assured they’ll greet a new day, by and by.

The flakes fell thickly as the night drew near,
And dark clouds crowded out the evening sky.
Alone, exposed, I felt a sense of fear
To have no refuge, safe and warm, nearby.

Just then, I saw far off the farmhouse dear,
Its well-beloved gables raised up high,
Still standing after many a long year,
To welcome me back home as I drew nigh.

Its chimney pots poured out pale wispy plumes
That drifted high above the neighboring hills,
While warm lights spoke of life in all its rooms
And winked at me from many windowsills.

My trek was long and arduous and cold
But “all’s well that ends well,” as people say.
Thus, may my journey ends when I grow old
And reach my pilgrim’s rest at end of day.

Martin Rizley grew up in Oklahoma and in Texas, and has served in pastoral ministry both in the United States and in Europe. He is currently serving as the pastor of a small evangelical church in the city of Málaga on the southern coast of Spain, where he lives with his wife and daughter.