In this 2004 poem, Mom remembers her youngest child’s return from the hospital as a newborn in 1964 and again from serving overseas in the Marines.

Homecomings

Soon after you were born
your Father took your brothers sister berrying
your Grandmother steadied the house
for your homecoming and for the berry pickers
the two of us took off to bed after the admiration party
and the blueberries went into pies
a succulent sleep in a hot oven
on a summer afternoon

Years later on another summer afternoon
we would all pick blueberries
your Father planted
children grandchildren
the others at the backyard picnic
that welcomed you home again
after the desert war

~ joan vayo ~ 28 June 2004

Here’s Bill and Mom during one of our parents’ visits to see him while he was stationed in Hawaii.

Dad was gratified to finally live in one home long enough to harvest fresh blueberries from his garden. Even better, sharing the fruits of his labor with his family, especially his youngest, home at last from serving his country.

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“Homecomings” ©2004 Joan Vayo. All rights reserved.

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