Got an Idea of Home

“I’ll be right back,” I said

however many years ago

and then I stepped out

to gather myself,

for a moment,

it seemed to be

working.

But, then I found

I had more gathering

to do and I wandered

through Louisiana,

Mississippi, Alabama,

in that order.

I became fascinated

by borders,

I’d gather on one side

and then on the other.

When I found there still

wasn’t enough of me

I sought out other countries,

exotic scenery.

I swam with Hawksbills

and slept under the canopy.

For years I kept on that way

until, finally, one day

time stopped passing

and the distances grew shorter.

Once it was nothing

to fall asleep in one place

and wake up in another,

I thought the gathering was done

and got an idea of home.

When I walked in the door

you were just as I’d remembered.

I was so glad to be back

I tore up my passport

and sat down

just as scattered.

October 16, 2017