eyes open close
the world the same
and yet here
in a land
where my name
is not spoken
there it is
once more
like an old friend
come home
the journey over
the gate closed
the door opened
home briefly
again
home
from a line by Tu Shen-yen: ancient songs
they float in the air
those tunes
those lyrics
transporting me
five thousand miles
five six decades
there in ancient songs
lie thoughts
of home
from a line by Yü Hsüan-chi: blow strong wind
blow strong wind
through the streets
of this ancient city
blow the dust
from these old eyes
so that they may see
five thousand miles
across seas an ocean
there where my home
used to be
what one carries
he talks of home
as if a place
can substitute
for what one carries
inside
a familiar landscape
they talk about roads not taken
but there are roads took
choices made
that lead here
so very far from home
and home is where you go
when there’s no place left
to run
a familiar landscape
under a familiar sun
heading home: my wish for children
to feel as safe
as when sleeping
on the back seat
of the family car
gliding silently
through the dark night
heading home
a variation on a line from Li Po: image of heaven
a light
burns there
in the distance
guiding one home
on the way
toward one’s image
of heaven
with a nod to Li Po
sun rises sets
eyes squint
my boat sways
how far my home
these ten thousand mountains
away
the long way
seem to be taking
the long way
home
from a line by Meng Hao-jan: for a special friend
up there
tonight
every night
that old moon
keeping you company
lighting the road
all roads
that take you
home
Leonard Durso 