(written when I was 33 and setting off to drive to CA for the first time.)
Now the clouds flow on to evening
As they turn from gold to red
And the time is past for dreaming
Of the road that lies ahead
Tis a time for new beginnings
To the dust I cast my load
On my face eternal sunset
Ever Westward runs the road
Ever Westward to the mountains
To the cities dark with Men
To the worlds that I can fashion
With my palette , with my pen
Worlds of magic , worlds of wonder,
Where the secret rivers run
Where the miracles are fashioned
For an audience of one....
To the race of men I'm leaving
To the race of men I'll find
Mortal ears stopped up with clamor
Mortal eyes to beauty blind
May your cities stand forever
May your houses never fall
I will mock your fears with shadows
In the silence, on the wall
Then farewell to windy city
Smoky skies and screaming gulls
To the ships that know your waters
By the slime that stains their hulls
You have seen me in my sorrow
In my folly, in my pain
Let us each forget the other
And be strangers once again
Here's my hand to wives and mistress
Through your hearts I walked alone
All the echoes were my footsteps
All the voices were my own
May your lives find new beginnings
Let my 'quaintance be forgot
May the dreams I never kindled
Fade like mist, and touch thee not
But the bright dear face I'm leaving
For a day, a month , a year
Eyes the blue of mountain waters
Watch me go without a tear
May you grow in joy and wisdom
Let your fancy wander free
May your steps at last turn Westward
Toward the sunset, after me.