“They both seemed to understand that describing it was beyond their powers, the gratitude that spreads through your body when a burden gets lifted, and the sense of homecoming that follows, when you suddenly remember what it feels like to be yourself.”
― Tom Perrotta, The Leftovers

Is there any way to get home when you’re not there already?
Can you be homesick for yourself?
Can you fear someone taking you away from yourself?

That feeling of homesickness strikes darkly
when you least suspect it.
Your world spins out of control
and you need to get back to the safety of your home.
You never left.
You never left.

But now fear has robbed you of
that sweet relief of coming home
to the beloved.
Now there is empty space where
love used to dwell.

God roars at you to get
your attention.
“Go home, go home.
You’re already there.”

And you wash your face
and you put lotion
on your dry skin and you
comfort yourself with the
sure knowing that home is
who you already are.

Vicki Woodyard