Long Toms

by john clare stokes

If the ole tom cat stray we had fixed
can escape first chance he gets
to find his long way across town
back to the old house in which
he was hanging around
Certainly a son to his right mind
can come
to find his way home.
If God can plant the long for home
in the alley cat
Certainly a son has one and will
find his way back.
The hummingbirds are gone
through the cold winter
To return in Spring to the
same feeder
Truly as the hummer journeys
across the ocean
A sons homeward migration
can be set in motion.
Last August from the porch we
wished upon meteors
Last evening from the porch we
prayed under a Perseid's shower
To set that course in motion
the return of a son, a grandson
and daughter
out from under the spell
of a dark, dark potion
To see them before our
eyes and the little ones
memory grows dim
To tell them again how very
deeply is our love
for them.