Homecoming

( after Carol Ann Duffy)  
    
     
Comfortable:    
   
Morning drip-dries;    
shadows cast    
as you sleep in.    
The old ways are still best;    
fresh laundry hanging.    
     
Sounds of creaking    
and squeaking    
throughout the house;    
still I know which is you    
from that of a mouse.    
     
Weather reports;    
our two dogs    
at the screen door;    
it’s begun to rain birds    
from a candy store.    
     
They move outside,    
the back steps,    
to watch me kneel    
handpicking tomatoes,
a summer’s healing.
 
Making us lunch,
hearing you
humming a song;
I can tell by the scent
it’s here I belong.