RANCH NIGHT
RANCH NIGHT Beyond the gate A tall yard light glows. Darkness wraps around the distant pine mountain The home light way up there beyond Lolo Creek Where mysterious rich people live High mountain dwellers at home in the night Here where the high bulb fades by the root cellar A few roaming cattle heard, barely seen. Hooves crunch gravel packed in the driveway with wild chamomile Where old cars and a rusty truck Wait for repair With tools scattered on steel shelf. A distant animal howl is mellow, not frightening Besides, the stove glow from house parlour is just over there To a young boy at the ranch Soft magic floats in the night.