coming home

Walking home, it’s sunset.

I meander down the road in the cool breeze,
hear enlivened Wolof all around me, greet familiar neighbors.

When I reach Papa he happily greets me,
makes a joke about my favorite song,
tells me so like family he’s going to the gym and will see me later.

I walk toward the front door,
knowing the rest of my family will be inside,
knowing my routine for the evening and just the spot I fill within the home,
knowing I will walk into a place of such familiar care and kindness,
and I feel a beautiful rush of coming home.