Homesick
It’s a feeling
In your guts
A deep rooted tug
Your roots call out
From a T-shirt which simply says
“You had me at biscuits.”
A bluegrass song
In the background
Of a store trying far too hard
To be hip.
Someone posts a photo
Of March flowers growing wild.
A TV show features
A little soul food joint
You could walk to
Back in college.
Don’t get me wrong
I’m not ashamed of where I am
Or how I got here.
It can also be true
That I miss
Where I’m from.
With its y’all’s & yes ma’am’s
Bourbon & heat & country ham
My family
Friends who knew
The first version of me.
It’s a messy thing
To move away.

Remember when
After church
We stayed past the last song
Lingering to see
Who’s who and where’s where
The familiar excitement
Of a final word
Then the freedom
to exchange smiles
Hug necks
Plan lunch.
Will it ever be like this again?
Viruses & fear & safety
Building walls
between my cheek & yours
What are fresh rhythms
To ignite the soul
Spark the flame of community
Maybe it’s just words
Or maybe it’ll be as it were
I can’t wait to find out.