Homecoming Traveller Poem by Frank Bana

Long branches stretched over the driveway
Felled by a summer storm
On the mailbox, a red flag calling
The newspaper late on the ground
Dusky foxes fled the fading light
And squirrels clung to the sides of trees
As he approached, with shiny shoes
Teasing the stones like hide and seek

Light flickered from the house ahead
A fairy cartoon through thin veiled lace
She sat by the table, alert, fair-faced
Lightly curled hair, eating slices of pear
Oblivious to the traveller outside
Who might come home at any time
From anywhere, destined to wander
Through the swaying doors of her life

As the day took leave, trees standing guard
He paused an instant to mark the reprieve
Fumbled his key and the old screen door
To receive her smile, by joy released.