by Gerald Locklin
(for edward field)
i envy those
who live in two places:
new york, say, and london;
wales and spain;
l.a. and paris;
hawaii and switzerland.
there is always the anticipation
of the change, the chance that what is wrong
is the result of where you are. i have
always loved both the freshness of
arriving and the relief of leaving. with
two homes every move would be a homecoming.
i am not even considering the weather, hot
or cold, dry or wet: i am talking about hope.
Michelle has today's roundup.
Cool poem, love the ending. I just returned from Hawaii, and though it's part of the U.S., it feels like a different planet from Virginia in many ways. Safe travels to you!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear from you, Ruth. I am going to a house that our family has visited on a beach for 7 years now. Part of me feels like the poem reflected my experiences there, but I know there's more. I'm still in the U.S., only by the ocean instead of the mountains. Still, the hope stays with me everywhere I go, and everywhere I know about. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about this before...but yes, the anticipation that what is wrong is because of where you are. Great line to think about. Thanks for this. I hope you are doing well and enjoying the place that you are now!
ReplyDeleteI want to explore this "two planet" idea with my students. Many come from or have family in other countries, but even the ones who don't might feel like school is a different planet from home.
ReplyDeleteI went back and read your "two planets" post -- it's food for thought. Wherever you live, that way of life is your norm. Whether it is spending $10K on middle school application consultants or carrying water for your basic needs. How separate we feel from each other...we have no idea how the cause/effect thing is working or how to change it.
ReplyDeleteevery move a homecoming, I like that!
What a refreshing and fascinating poem Ruth. As I've lived in Chicago most of my life anytime I travel to a place that has huge mountains, a tide that comes in and goes our, or tropical palm trees I feel like I'm on another planet and am in awe by my surroundings. Enjoy your planet hopping…
ReplyDeleteWhat a thought-provoking poem as is your post about living in two worlds.
ReplyDelete