Among Suitcases I

Packed up again, Cedars and crescents in my carry-on, A heart and soul in my suitcase… The mattress on my bed is bare, save for a straw hat Resting in the middle of it and a bottle of cologne There are scrapes on the wall And bits where the paint came off The floor is littered with baggage, hardly a place to step But the room feels empty… yet again I’ll put my home under my hat And take one last look at the faded curtains Hanging over my windows 1:03 am Last call on my cell phone: Grandpa Last call on my cell phone: A leather pillow and apple vinegar Last call on my cell phone: A school bus in the rain Last call on my cell phone: A hug, a kiss and another suitcase Last call for Mr. Bakhash… Please proceed to Gate 43… Last call… The airports are all the same Frantic people, too busy to look back… Confused children tailing their parents Overpriced coffee, stale sandwiches… all too familiar Heathrow, Starbucks… Heathrow, Laptops… Heathrow, iPods… Heathrow, Crowds… Heathrow, Empty The airports are all the same… Empty Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Paris, Dubai, Beirut Empty