Exiles

Now... in this faraway land Strange... that the palms of my lands Should be damp with expectancy Spring... and the air's turning mild City lights... and the glimpse of a child Of the alleyway infantry Friends... do they know what I mean Rain... and the gathering green Of an afternoon out-of-town But Lord I had to go My trail was laid too slow behind me To face the call of fame Or make a drunkyard's name for me Though now this other life Has brought a different understanding And from these endless days Shall come a broader sympathy And though I count the hours To be alone's no injury... My home... was a place near the sand Cliffs... and a military band Blew an air of normality.