I miss my home.

the one I built little by little over time.

I had no idea what I was doing.

who buys furniture for the first time in their thirties?

I guess I do.

 

I miss my home.

the one I never felt built for

or understood in

but it was familiar.

with the same trees, rocks, garden to pick from.

 

I miss my home.

the one that held and protected me

nourished my innocence.

my soul aches to sit back under that

ponderosa pine tree

endlessly chain braiding those long tender green needles before the autumn dried them.

 

I miss my home.

the creek

the mountains

the waters

MY land

stolen from me

my birthright.

 

It wasn’t just the land I lost.

but half of my family.

 

I miss my home.

I ache for all that I can never go back to because

change

nothing ever stays the same.

 

I miss my home.

YOU, dear one felt like home.

that’s why it was so hard to walk away from you.

you reminded me of all that I had lost

and found

and lost again.

 

I miss my home.

I’m calling my mom again in the middle of the night

I know she will be mad

and disappointed

at another failed

sleepover.

I don’t care.

 

I just want to go home.