Sky so dark and full
Of pulsating lights
Dimmed only by the moon
Where I used to live
Swirling all night
As if
dancing
Visual music
Bringing wonder, and
Delighting my heart
Now I look to see
Those wondrous beacons
But instead
Grey sky, an orange tinge
Polluted by the lights of men
Stars still swirl
and dance
Eyes no longer discern
Yet my heart remembers
Visual music returns
As I close my eyes
Cold air fills my lungs
Nose and fingers tingling
Clouds, laden with promise
Scud low in the sky
First one
Another, and yet more
Swirling drifts, luminous fractals
Rest gently on the earth
Blanketing the ground
Branches festooned
Silent
I wake to a transformed world
My heart quickens
I taste the air
Catch the diaphanous flakes
Cold feet leave their mark
Senses keen
I walk
Trees whisper their song
I am home
Cold air fills my lungs
Nose and fingers tingling
Clouds, laden with promise
Higher now
First one
Another, and yet more
Pelting drops, shining beads
Pound upon the earth
Drowning the ground
Cars swish
A staccato beat
I wake to a new reality
My heart quickens
I taste the air
Drops on outstretched palms
Wet feet leave their mark
Senses keen
I walk
The city hums its promise
I am home
Four walls, a floor
A roof over one’s head
Windows framing a view
Repository of memories
Safety, a haven
And yet, it is not
Destroyed
A blackened mess of iron
Detritus of life
Fragments only, the whole
Torn asunder
And yet, it is not
Four chambers, a muscle
A place for courage
Of love, hope, meaning
Repository of memories
Safety, a haven
