MORE LETTERS FROM HOME

It has been a long time since I have held
the earth in my hand, it being harder
for my feet to find the rhythm of a far-away place
as time goes on. I’m alone all of the way.

And peoples’ understanding is shaken
when they learn that there is a future, that the past
can’t simply be thought of as some safari,
an adventure before we return
to settling the dust.

(January 4, 2008)