home

With sweat on his brow
he stood brilliant in the sun
wondering if home remained
when the hours fell

he reached down to the soil
felt its pulse
and knew it
though it was rough
biting his fingers
but still
it was brown
like him
and tinged with his blood
so he knew it

home remained
he carried it in his shoes
and felt it in the soles
it was near
but walking barefoot
was illegal