The sun shining through bars of cloud.
It's gold mixing with the gray of the fog.
Twilight closes over dreamy day.
As I write the day's account in my log.

The red-earth hills, full of stone and salt.
The little stunted shrubs, with feathered leaves.
We move on, never pausing to halt.
For all our purposes lie farther yet.

We twist in the changing mountain's lap.
As we climb, the air to me grows sweet.
In the air, I scent the soil of my mountains.
Coolness reigns over the ground's heat.

Silhouettes of the hills stand against the sky.
The night slowly claims the beauty of the colours.
Around the darkening sun the clouds yet lie.
Gold and silver in their reflection of the light.

Taller trees sway above the yellow flowers.
A winding lane leads farther away.
From the city, the human stronghold.
Yet in quieter places lies life's greater array.

I know what pain lies in human soul and mind.
We are discoverers of the world's beauty.
Be warned, lest by your own hand you bind.
Yourself away from earthly roots in duty.