Your Poetry Dot Com - Nashville Haibun

I have referred to it as "The Farewell Tour" this trip we are taking. You never knew that. We fly first to Nashville. You gather pillows and blankets from the overhead bins but will not let me sleep. You talk for three hours, about what I don't know. I am not listening. I have not been listening for a long time. I cannot take comfort in the pillow and blanket from the overhead bin. I cannot take comfort from the words you cover me with. I cannot take comfort from memories of comfort. You ask me what I am doing and I tell you I am woolgathering.

outside the window
clouds of soft wool float slowly
my heart gathers them

I take comfort from clouds. Some things never change. The air in Nashville is cool and damp. The trees still grow tall and green. The clouds are still with me. We spend our nights in twin beds but it suits me. I can no longer sleep with my belly against your warm back, hand tangled in thick black hair. Some things change.

you changed so quickly
you became empty and cold
no comfort in you

We spend our days in the warm sun digging in a dry riverbed, looking for artifacts. My hands find comfort in the earth. We eat fresh vegetables and warm cornbread. Comfort food. Sometimes you talk. I see your mouth move and I hear your words but I do not listen. I have long since forgotten how to understand you.

I understand earth
dark wooly clouds comfort me
Tennessee is home

Now we must leave Tennessee, return to real life.
The "Farewell Tour" is over. You gather pillows and blankets from the overhead bins and I sleep, comforting myself.

This poem is Copyright © Katiebird