Alone

Standard

flipping channels
nothing is on
the dog waits
by the door
he doesn’t know
you won’t be home
two minute dinner
the microwave beeps
the dog still sits
he won’t listen to me
fading light
I lock the windows
and doors
it’s just me tonight
against the darkness
and moonlight
too much Dateline
my nerves shake
the dog gives up
and plops beside me
It’s not the same
without you here
I’ve grown used to
the sounds you make
how you fill my life
the dog whines
he must blame me
you’ll be back tomorrow
but he doesn’t know that

 

– – –

Words: timed free-verse (10 minutes), c.b.w. 2018

Advertisement

Irish Roots

Standard

Swallowed by time,
trees, grass, and lore
A small house stands,
rooted in stone
Rusted old gate,
on broken hinge
The well-trod path,
welcomes you home
Unlocked latches,
weathered wood
Where the door cracks,
the hearth is warm

A cozy home on the outskirts of Limerick, Ireland
Photo by: c.b.w. 2009

– – –

c.b.w. 2013

Three Weeks Is Close Enough

Standard

The original plan was to stay in London for a month, but a small twist of fate has caused me to alter the length of my trip.  It turns out the original day of my departure, June 30th, is going to be something Londoners are calling “Black Thursday.”  Close to 600,000 public sector workers are going on strike.  Among the strikers are the train drivers of the London Underground, which upon I rely completely to get around the city and most importantly to the airport.  The strikes are set to last most of next week at varying intervals and it looks like more unions are gearing up to join the movement.  The chaos that will most certainly ensue from all of this was not on my list of fun things to do, so I’m getting out before it gets too crazy.

While my stay is shorter than expected, the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. Travel is often about willingly taking on change, but the time I spent in London has been truly life-altering in ways I could never have anticipated. My senses are on fire and I suspect they will remain that way for a while as I sort through everything I’ve seen, done, and felt.  All I know for certain is that every moment of wandering in this place has changed me for the better.

Tomorrow, I’ll be on a plane heading home.  My life as I left it is waiting for me and I am excited to get back to the familiar.  However, there is a little part of London that also feels like home and I shall miss it dearly.

c.b. 2011