Night falls soft on golden plain
Warm wind moving through the grass again
Two little loved ones by my side
Tiny trunks with bright young eyes
I hear far drums from a distant land
Metal thunder in a stranger’s hand
He chases white ivory as in a dream
Like it holds some secret he has not seen
But every sound in the dark I hear
Every rustle brings my heart near
Closer to the ones I guard tonight
I don’t ever look away
Not for a breath, not for a day
My babies walk and I walk too
Through burning skies and morning dew
If danger comes across this land
They’ll find my strength, they’ll feel my stand
Every sunrise, every night
I’ll keep them safe within my sight
No… I don’t ever look away
Sun climbs high and the rivers fade
Dry earth cracking where we once played
The air grows hotter year by year
Still I guide my children here
Some believe those tusks I wear
Hold strange magic beyond compare
But all they are is bone and time
A mark of life, of mountains climbed
So I walk through dust and blazing light
Holding close what matters right
I don’t ever look away
Not for a breath, not for a day
My babies run and I run too
Through fields of gold and skies of blue
Let the thunder roll and cry
Let the harsh sun fill the sky
Every moment, come what may
I’ll guard their path along the way
No… I don’t ever look away
Though the world grows hot with guns
Still I carry my dear ones
Through storm, through fire and the fear
Two kids will always find me near
I don’t ever look away
Every dusk and every day
Two small hearts beside my own
Never will they walk alone
Let the selfish fade to dust
Let the Earth return to us
Yes, I will stand and I will stay
No… I won’t ever look away.
“I Don’t Ever Look Away” is a poem by Timothy Bradbury © 2023. Narrated by Amber Nethercutt.
Every moment, come what may
I’ll guard their path along the way
No… I don’t ever look away
