Everybody comes from somewhere
My somewhere is a place where vowels are long
Consonants are dropped
And kindness and humor part of the local dialect
My somewhere is a place where people are real
But hair color is not
Pets are family
And money is only as good as your reputation to share if needed
My somewhere is a place where trees are plentiful
Water is teeming with life
The clouds usually look like cotton balls
And birds, bugs, and critters are always around every corner
My somewhere is a place where everyone knows your name
Knows your family
Knows your story
And are quick to share their stories too
My somewhere is a place that is both common and uncommon
Easily seen but not as easily understood
Hard to break into for those who are new
And always ready to welcome home those who have been gone too long
With a broken heart and clipped wings
I had left my somewhere
And traded its dialect, culture, and customs
For the larger world’s experience and wisdom
No longer hearing my name in soft-spoken tones
I settled for the more exotic accents of those from foreign lands
Intrigued with their beauty and enamored by their story
I mingled their tales with my own
I offered myself first begrudgingly then willingly
I surrendered to the lessons and the love
I grew in learning, standing, and wisdom
My clipped wings opened and prepared to fly
And as I soared over country and kin both near and far
A call came unexpectedly from my somewhere
Calling me home
Whispering my name in the language of my heart
Taking one more circle around the larger lands
With appreciation for the beauty of the view
I flew home
Back to the nest from which I was born
Back in my somewhere I see its richness and beauty anew
But best of all
I feel the connection that is beyond description
When someone who genuinely loves me correctly and caringly speaks my name
annacrewscamphouse 