A Visit Home

c. 2010 by Olan L. Smith

When I traverse homeward

To gaze upon hometown streets

Not a soul do I meet amid knowing eyes

With greetings of, "Yes, I remember you."

Then, I travel to the rows of stone,

One, after another in endless deepen shadows.

I see their names;

John, Keith, Harry, Jeff, Chris,

Aunt Bea, Grandpa and Ma, laid to rest.

Then I turn to see Mom and Dad,

My brother Paul and three empty plots,

Of which one is my eternal space.

I look to my friends, all gone now,

And say, I am coming home.

Not a word do they say in reply

But silence speaks louder than loud, "Yes, we know!"