So It Goes-Homeward Bound

The surf, ferocious in the distance white caps and roller coaster waves nose-dives into the shore sand rearranged; sea life takes cover- the hermit crab –boroughs; the gulls greedy, hungry - grab remnants of human litter- their meal for the day- and flee. Homeward bound. Rain- torrents or drizzle feed flora, fauna, man all given a pardon: one more day to live. Mother Nature in a cathartic mood sends the wind, chaotic, blasted, twisted; or patronizing - to clean and clear. Then returns the earth to serenity and life. Homeward bound. Geese choreographed in flight synchronized to fly as one north to south in the winter and intuitively reverse when it’s time to breed and feed. Homeward bound. Lovers- finish the evening’s repartee with a nightcap of Bailey’s or Port conjoined as they coo their way. Homeward bound. The warrior-committed to peace- combative, defensive, protective, vigilant, conflicted- kill or be killed. The good soldier returns-decorated for bravery- in the box covered in the coveted colors of the employer. Some maimed –without limbs, eyes, mind. The whole- return- many missing-their soul. Homeward bound. The dying- incontinent, incoherent, incompetent, in pain wishes for a reprieve. Moans. More morphine. The death rattle gurgling through lungs ravaged but determined to discharge the last hooray of life. Then, so it goes, homeward bound. Kathy Tauber-2015