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