Why Should We Ever Leave Home Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

I've been trying to understand for a long time

why we should ever leave home
the first home, I mean
the one where we learned the specific names
of flowers, stars, the undergrowth
the beautiful alphabets, the secret of tears.
sure, there are some, or many
forced out
by war, by flood, by fire or starvation
also by intimidation. loss of all jobs,
by other aspirations
years later you find out
as in the Wizard of Oz
home was already your aspiration
nor was it clear to you
once leaving really
there is no going back
never in the same river twice
the ancient philosopher said
or brook to dip your toes again
the river has moved on
except in certain dreams at times
the peculiar light you remember
is seen shyly on the rose bushes of
yesteryear, intensified.
the little gate swinging
pushed open by mistake,
fate, or the wind.

mary angela douglas 27 march 2023