The Journey Home

One year ago today, Stephen and I were journeying home to Siesta Key (Sarasota), Florida in the aftermath of the disaster hurricane Helene had wreaked on Asheville, North Carolina, where we summered. Like many others, we thought it safe to wait out the hurricane in Asheville, where only a tropical storm was anticipated. Wrong. History tells a different tale. And two weeks later we would be hit again in Florida by hurricane Milton, during the stages of the clean-up from Helene. We were dealt a third round of devastation—one in Asheville, and two in Siesta Key, within two weeks’ time.

I wrote this poem during that first trek home. It is the tale of journeying into the unknown, longing for home, and the task of putting the past to rest. It could be the estrangement from the familiar, oneself, a relationship, or fear. The poem resonates for me as much today as it did when I first wrote it.

The Journey Home

During this Silence, I hear you more loudly than ever

As you Race through the forest of my mind

Weaving among Evergreens of Hope,

Hardwoods of everlasting Joy,

Crunching decaying encumbrances of the Past

Beneath your feet.

Frantic to make sense of us, you pause,

Closing your eyes,

As if Nature’s map to the Light

Will become Clear.

The Light is scattered in the branches of Desire.

Clinging vines of recidivism trip you.

Look through the canopy for the Light.

Reach for the rugged tree of Contentment

And hold on as you Free your next step.

Slow down and Embrace the Journey,

Carefully disentangling clinging tendrils

Desperate to tie you down.

I am Eagerly awaiting your arrival

In the Clearing, ready to go

Forward together into the awaiting Adventure.

Keep your eye on the Light,

Oh, Beautiful One.

Follow me Home.

My Love and Gratitude for all of you, including the compassion of strangers, who uplifted me while I continued the Journey.