Once in the 40s

　　by William Stafford

　　 We were alone one night on a long

　　 road in Montana. This was in winter， a big

　　 night， far to the stars. We had hitched，

　　 my wife and I， and left our ride at

　　 a crossing to go on. Tired and cold but

　　 brave-we trudged along. This， we said，

　　 was our life， watched over， allowed to go

　　 where we wanted. We said we'd come back some time

　　 when we got rich. We'd leave the others and find

　　 a night like this， whatever we had to give，

　　 and no matter how far， to be so happy again

　　-