Peace in the Country Pines

[couchgrouch]

Peace in the Country PinesI've got a sixty mile commutesome folks stare at my business suitand say I'd be home pronto if I bought a condoin the citybut after elevators and cubiclesI need somewhere beautifulcos I feel like quitting after all day sittingon boring committeesso I drive for sixty minutesturn left at a leaning signfar past the fact'ries and city limitsI find peace in the country pinesI pull up and turn off my cellphonescare deer off the porch of my homeout here in east Texas there's no cineplexes stripmalls or Costcosthere's a swallow nest beneath my eavesleaves and clovers but no cloverleafsjust a few foxes and two mailboxesdown by the crossroadsI replaced my old recordswith some cds of Patsy Clinemy neighbor brings backgammon and checkersand it's peace in the country pinesI love the scent of evening pine needlesstarlight's glimmer off the old church steepleI may sit still and watch the hillsbut my heart soars like an eaglefull moon rising in the distant fieldsand rabbit tail clouds are what's realbut daydream wishes for power and richesare just imitationsI know I must taste my life nowand cherish all that heaven allowscos the time we're given to enjoy livin'has limitationswe haven't talked about it oftenbut my neighbor knows my mindshould I pass he'll build me a coffinand give me peace in the country pines(c)2005 Robert George