I drifted aimlessly
from city onto city
so light I thought the wind
was strong enough
to carry me.
I felt so light and frail –
transparent –
that I thought
it wouldn’t matter much
if I was there or not.
—
And then one day I drifted
ashore on a familiar beach
and felt my feet take root
in this, my native soil
which hungrily
reclaimed me.
I felt my soul connect
and lodge itself unto
the vast network of roots
that underlie this island.
I saw my shadow lengthen –
I felt my lungs expand –
I heard my heartbeat roar
the rhythm of the waves
upon the sand.
I touched a hand onto the ground,
I breathed the scent of home –
I felt myself reborn.