The Wires

THE wires gleamed far and silver, Lines on a morning sky; I heard the white wires singing Their song as I went by; Far and far away they led, and I was bound and young, And sharp the wind blew overhead, and gave the wires a tongue– Young folk must wander far, Young feet must roam 'Tis a long way to everywhere, But oh, a short way home! The wires gleamed far and golden– I followed in their track, Far and far the gold wires led, And never road led back; Far and far the gold wires went, and oh, I followed fast, Roads to work ere youth was spent, and joy while youth should last: Rough roads to fame and gold Gay roads to roam, Roads to hate and roads to love, But never roads toward home! The wires show far and darkened, Lines on a sunset sky, And still the black wires sing me Their song as I plod by– Far and far the black wires wind, and I am old and tired, And naught is left to seek or find of all that I desired: Old folk are wise too late, Old feet cannot roam, 'Tis a short way to everywhere, But oh, a lost way home!