back at last
opening the door
to welcoming meows |
my cat sees I've returned after
months away
gets up to stretch |
pulling into
the driveway
my dog jumps off the porch |
open the door
my dog's tail
a hurricane |
|
|
|
top
quarter champion |
|
TOP half Chamption
|
bottom
quarter champion
|
|
|
waiting at the end
of the stone path
my front door |
pulling into the driveway
realizing
I knew the way home by heart |
away from home
easy to be your
parents' favorite child |
"come home"
she doesn't know where
she's sending me |
|
TOP
half champion
|
|
CHAMPION
|
BOTTOM
half champion |
constellations inviting me home
having forgotten the color
of the night sky |
putting on an old dress
she wore on graduation
still fits |
mom and dad
always say
it's never long enough |
group hugs
see-ya-laters
weekend ending |
|
|
|
top
quarter champion |
|
BOTTOM
half champion
|
bottom
quarter champion
|
|
|
just the guys and I
reunited in our booth
the old Dairy Queen |
family reunion
1 burger left
my brother and I, present |
favorite restaurant
get whatever you want
thanks mom |
hollow stomach
I can't reach
mom's cookie jar |
© 2016, Randy Brooks • Millikin University. All rights returned to authors upon publication.
home from college
walking under the lights
to pass down the crown |
been gone too long
someone is in my spot
in the school parking lot |
sitting in my room
not the dorm,
my real room |
old sorority house
creaky brass handle
I still turn twice |
|
|
|
top
quarter champion |
|
TOP half Chamption
|
bottom
quarter champion
|
|
|
barks and meows
greet me
not my pets |
crisp autumn chill—
with it comes
old friends |
joy of homecoming
spoiled by the elevator
reeking of vomit |
rising sun
homecoming morning
I crack open a beer |
|
TOP
half champion
|
|
CHAMPION
|
BOTTOM
half champion |
moist grass
pressed down
the tailgaters |
new football turf
different uniforms
the cold stands not as full |
lost the ball
too much
conversation |
talking with old friends
in the bleachers
football in the background |
|
|
|
top
quarter champion |
|
BOTTOM
half champion
|
bottom
quarter champion
|
|
|
candy crushed
into the cobblestones
parade |
homecoming weekend
graduates drive miles
to relive the glory days |
blue shirt, blue hat
blue sky, black cleats
play ball |
matching outfits
we support
our school |
© 2016, Randy Brooks • Millikin University. All rights returned to authors upon publication.