Homeward Bound

​

​

The winds blew fair and sent the schooner
clipping along over the ocean waves.
The sailors were homeward bound
following a journey of ten thousand miles.

At home, their families waited with anticipation,
hoping to receive trinkets from far-off lands.
Their wives patted their chignons into place
and pinched their cheeks for extra color.
Even the family dog knew something was up
and walked from one person to the next
as if to say, "Tell me! Tell me!"

Soon, the tall masts came into view
as the ship was moored at the docks.
Doors opened, and children dashed out,
scurrying happily toward the water's edge,
while the family dog ran, barking, along with them.

At home, the wife moved a vase an inch over on a table
and took her handkerchief to wipe away a smudge.
Everything needed to be perfect
for her husband's return home from the sea.

 

For John J. P. Ryan, who inspires me

 

​

Homeward Bound appears in More a Part of Me on Amazon Kindle.