Out at the Cedars

 

The wagon left long before dawn

Creaking through dew-wet pasture

A shadowy path away to the right
Down into badland valley

 

Late afternoon
The westward trudge

In failing light

Ned leading the horse

 

Out at the cedars

Out at the cedars

Long way home

 

The low hills ahead, a track ‘long the trees

In sight of the tents and fires

They caught the first whiff of the wood

Bittersweet smell of juniper trees burning

 

Late afternoon
The westward trudge

In failing light

Ned leading the horse

 

Out at the cedars

Out at the cedars

Long way home

 

Fifty minutes we’re riding by car

We still have not reached The Cedars

That time five hours or more

With horse and wagon a hell of a journey

 

Late afternoon
The westward trudge

In failing light

Ned leading the horse

 

Late afternoon
The westward trudge

In failing light

Ned leading the horse

 

Out at the cedars

Out at the cedars

 

Long way home

 

Words from the book "Bad Land" by Jonathan Raban used with kind permission of the author.