The Loneliness Of A Homecoming Poem by RIC BASTASA

the man older than me
(by 20 years) writes about his
going back home
(after 30 years of working
in the U.S.) AND he was
talking about
changes: the old house where he
spent his childhood
was demolished giving way to a new
mall,
the creek was reclaimed
for an italian restaurant

the park is still there
dotting with the younger generation
who cannot recognize him
neither him knowing them

he is a stranger now in his
hometown
all his friends are gone
some dead
some went away to find greener
pastures abroad

canada, new zealand
dubai, malaysia

others have gone underground
wanted rebels of the
system

he is practically alone now
perhaps regretting why he
came back

what made him do that?

he has no home now, he has no country,
no people.