It’s only ever after 
you’ve had all else
do you ever return 
and choose never settle 
for settling implies surrender 
but decide that something 
is best of all 
and only the lucky 
ones get to return 
to something still there 
not waiting choosing too
that is love divine 

Funny this now 
tables have turned 
I may have 
ignited his wanderlust 
by bringing him 
to me Honolulu 
maybe even I
pulled him from 
the nest like 
a wind catching 
outstretched wings but 
now he goes 
and then returns 
like I did 
too once traveling 
and seeing things 
and sharing stories 
and filling pockets 
with such adventures 
that life’s made

He’s going home 
today going home 
I’m not home 
to him and 
not even home 
is home to 
him the ranch 
is home and 
the other home 
and my home 
aren’t really homes 
but where the 
hearts live that 
he now loves 
we are each 
of his other 
homes like ladies 
living in wait
for the prince 
to return from 
his adventures afar
for even flowers
smile when alighted 
by a bee

The sunset here 
is like watching 
a line of 
Humpback whales from 
the boat of
my apartment which
bobs ever so 
slowly until night 
calms the sea
and they disappear 
until again tomorrow 

I’m a defender 
and a protector
I stick up 
for little guys 
I take shots 
so that others 
don’t have to 
because I know 
I’ll get up 
I always have 
and always will 
I say the
hard things the 
truths that most 
won’t or can’t 
I never enjoy 
it saying it 
but it needs 
to be said 
and not just 
thought about wished
away or forgotten 
so is my
mantel my moniker 
my burden and 
my humblest privilege 
he who speaks