carrying two crates
of sweaters
into the cold
i’m happy
just to be home

Jackson Lewis

counting the days
until its time
to go home,
back to my goofy
family and crazy friends

Lauren Modlin

breathing in
hot chocolate, popcorn,
brisk October air
the homecoming game begins
my youth again

Joeseph Bein

the marching band moves
in the distance
my fingers remember
an old, old tune
and play without a sound

Joeseph Bein

carrying two crates
of sweaters
into the cold
i’m happy
just to be home

the marching band moves
in the distance
my fingers remember
an old, old tune
and play without a sound

top quarter champion

carrying two crates
of sweaters
into the cold
i’m happy
just to be home

top half champion

a ring
much too large
yet
it fits perfectly
for me

bottom quarter champion

a ring
much too large
yet
it fits perfectly
for me

a ring
much too large
yet
it fits perfectly
for me

five-dollar
Halloween dog toy
I can’t wait
to see your reaction
when I come home

sapphires
in a silver band
I never gave away
I close the lid
not wanting to remember

Joseph Bein

a ring
much too large
yet
it fits perfectly
for me

Michelle Dixson

the bilge builds
in my throat
as they rush
towards me
demanding news

Jackson Lewis

five-dollar
Halloween dog toy
I can’t wait
to see your reaction
when I come home

Lainie Pahos

top half champion

a ring
much too large
yet
it fits perfectly
for me

 

champion

photographs
I see your smile
and smile back
wishing you
were here

 

bottom half champion

photographs
I see your smile
and smile back
wishing you
were here

 

all at once
she shows me
her smile
and her black roses
sitting on my windowsill

Jackson Lewis

I open
the door
Your smile
is my
homecoming

Lainie Pahos

photographs
I see your smile
and smile back
wishing you
were here

Brianna Martin

no matter where
I am in the
world—
as long as I’m in your arms
I’m home

Lauren Modlin

all at once
she shows me
her smile
and her black roses
sitting on my windowsill

photographs
I see your smile
and smile back
wishing you
were here

top quarter champion

photographs
I see your smile
and smile back
wishing you
were here

bottom half champion

photographs
I see your smile
and smile back
wishing you
were here

bottom quarter champion

Thinking of
home,
I call my mom
and remember
why I left.

setting sun
stretches
empty fields
the long road
home

Thinking of
home,
I call my mom
and remember
why I left.

that magical place
just
two hours away
I know soon
it will be my home

Nikki Evans

setting sun
stretches
empty fields
the long road
home

Aubrie Cox

Thinking of
home,
I call my mom
and remember
why I left.

Lainie Pahos

homecoming photos
emailed to the family.
a cell phone call
from the son
on his journey

Randy Brooks