Homecoming

Poem by J.M. Johnson

When home becomes a memory
life feels lost

Photo by author

I still remember the piles of newspapers
bingo listings in the village hall
fishing trophies and creepy dolls
mice chewing the TV cable
me sleeping on the couch
recovering my smile

The country air that did me good
old music shaking me awake
for the first time in years
countryside drives
green tea and no cucumber in cafes
feeling free and more like me

Family photos on the wall
stories of sadness and loss
my nana’s slippers still in the kitchen
no need for them after decades
traces of the past still remained

My room for when I needed an escape
my sanctuary and peace
the place I wanted to come back to
gone forever

When home becomes a memory
life feels lost
there is no place to retreat now
homecoming has come and gone
it’s only in my mind.