Pounding down the dusty trail,

far up and off away,

pounding toward McLeod place.

Johnny comes home today.

–

A year ago, the snow still clumped

in mounds of melting gray.

A year ago he’d worn his sword—

but now he comes home—to stay.

–

She hardly remembered the smell of his beard.

She’d kissed him and longed to delay.

But as soon as dawn, the horse was gone

and Johnny had gone far away.

–

The barn felt abandoned, the house stood forlorn.

The dog seemed to lie in the way.

Even the sky wept in trickles—sad tears

till…Johnny comes home today!  

–

The hoofbeats were drumming her heart raced in skips.

She rushed from the door to the way

where strangers were standing, and holding a corpse.

But…Johnny comes home today.

–

The sunlight was sinking just over the hill,

the grave cross was fresh as the clay.

Six soldiers were standing in silent respect

for Johnny was home today.

–

Pounding up the dusty trail

far down and off away.

The riders were gone, just over the hill,

and Johnny was home…to stay.