Longing For Alberta

Take me back to a place in time, my sweet, sweet love;
To a place far away where I used to live. -
To a windblown prairie full of bright, bright stars,
And a life of love that I used to give.

Take me back where the life flows free, free, love;
Where the fire flames wild, where the wildness is fire. -
Where the long prairie wind blows hard, hard, high,
And where safe in our cottage grew our wide, hot desire.

Take me back where my dreams drift slow, slow, love;
Where my memories glide back soft in the past.
Where the good times glow, and the sad sadness fades,
Where my joy will be whole, and my happiness last.

Take me back, and I’ll love you long, long, love.
Give me back to my homeland from whence I came.
Where the creeks and the birds scream, scream for me;
Where my spirit waits - where I have a name.


(C) 1973 Rosemary J. Gwaltney

I Say His Absence

I feel a sorrow deep within my soul
That burns inside like faint but steady pain;
Perhaps I’m broken, never to be whole
Until he’s back to stay with us again.

Yet no, I see we’ve both changed far too much
To ever go back where we were before -
I am alive - I laugh, I sing, I touch -
I love my life, my freedom more and more.

So, strong and glad I pass the aching by
And work to raise my children good and sweet;
They don’t remember, they’ve no need to cry,
Our life together stays full and complete.

I say his absence leaves no empty space...
I say he’s gone and didn’t leave a trace...
Yet still I know that none could take his place,
And still, in crowds, I sometimes see his face.


(C) 1973 Rosemary J. Gwaltney