The Time Has Come Poem by RIC BASTASA

the time has come for the arrival
of this stranger
from a very faraway land. you meet him.
make him sit. ask him if he needs a drink
and you give him
gin, beer, whatever that pleases him.
you make him comfortable
at last
in your home. make him find his room.
the pillows and blankets
all to his choosing. the dinner that you serve.
the shower that he has to take.
the nice conversations you will have
for a while
with this stranger. you care for him
you assure him.you tell him
you miss him. you bring him to the mirror
to see how beautiful has he become
for that time that you have been
taken apart
you embrace him tightly.
you cry.
you wipe your tears and sit at the center
of the living room.
you look carefully how distance
must have destroyed
the closeness between you and him.

you shake your hand.
it is you now. this stranger is yourself.
you welcome him home
to your very arms.