Homecoming

Homecoming

I want to write
about your homecoming -
I feel I should
since you inspired
so many poems
before you left.

But I find the words
are forced
stilted
and I'm not sure
what to say
after all this time.

I am at a loss ...

Your family is so excited
to have you home -
though I imagine no one
is more elated than you
after all of these months away.

Truth is
it's been longer
than a mere twenty months
that you've been gone,
because you really went away
longer ago than that.

And maybe that's why
I find it hard to join
in the excitement
of your return -

because I can't help
but wonder
if it's really you

after all.