For You, For Me

hospitality:
the heart of an Afghan home
(how sweet the tea tastes)

Road Trip 2022, Day Ten: Gaps

through Cumberland Gap
we drive down to Tennessee 
and stand in three states

it’s been many years
(the gap between visits here)
and everything’s changed

Pappy’s room is new
with the antique furniture 
from their grandparents

a whole new kitchen 
to fill Donna’s empty nest
with the light of love

this generation 
will take the time to teach them
and fill in the gaps

they’ll learn who came first,
what they fought for, what they lost;
close gaps, open eyes

the sound of leaf breeze
is impossible to miss
from the top? perfect

there’s just nothing like 
five giddy little-teen girls
breathing us all in

our poor Daddy 
outnumbered seven to one
without one complaint

June: a harried month
with all the joys and sorrows
that make up this life

birthdays as i age
are all about the blossoms 
(petal by petal)

even candy blooms
from a fasting student’s heart
here, home, on my desk

what if sunset geese
were the best part of their day,
of their lives thus far?

a museum trip
to learn English with a twist
and these masked smiles

i drive buses now 
because taking them places
is what matters most

the joy in their eyes
as they immerse themselves 
is universal

my Homecoming queens
who will never win titles
will still win with me

and what have they learned?
just how to love everyone
from all walks of life

Kentucky surprise:
shadows, trees, sun, nieces, joy,
progressive murals

don’t assume you know
the beliefs of a red state 
until you’ve been there

summer camp is done.
art, yoga, cycling, love.
and home stretch? cooking.

these so-rare smiles
pouring milk for tortillas 
like happy siblings

did you say siblings?
how about our matching twins
with perfect spring rolls?

don’t forget sushi 
made with Chinese expertise
to brighten their eyes

and fufu for all
stirred by girls from two cultures
finding friends at home

these mandazi men
so proud of their puffed product
all the way from home

taco influence
on the next generation 
sharing her home’s heart

this sweet quesillo
comes from home with a sweet tale
(we’ve hit a home run)