by Jessica Kraker
There will be no fanfare for me as I turn
onto my block.
There will be no tears or exclamations of joy
as I come back to a house full of people who love me.
There will be no suitors to fight off
or a throne to reclaim.
I am not Odysseus
but this is my homecoming.
It may not have awaited me, but I awaited it.
I climb the stairs, turn the key
The smell of home embraces me. I hear the sounds
of sleep from darkened bedrooms
And that is enough
my bags slide to the ground and I lean on the closed door
I smile.
Ithaca at last.
