My friends house caught fire last week 

Another friend left uni and made a new life plan 

And my best friends birthday is tomorrow. 

Friends have had babies,

Family have had surgeries, 

And my brother started reading the bible. 

My sister’s kids are growing up too fast. 

And I’m not there for any of it. 

My hometown is there where it always was before 

Exactly the same as it was before. But it’s the comfort I long for. 

For the walk into town I did so many times

Knowing which traffic lights change in which order 

And for the bumps on the road as I cycle around. 

My local Tesco for which I always forgot my trolley coin

The street names I’ve known as long as I can remember. 

My elderly neighbours living where they always have. 

My mums tree planted firm

My primary school field that looks smaller every time I walk by

Going to the pub and knowing at least 5 people in there already

Them knowing you. 

If someone asked me for directions here, they would absolutely end up in the wrong place.

Leaving your home town leaves a deep seated ache for the comfort of familiarity

And what can you do except sit with it?

~ Teya