The fantastic flare

of Florida Fields
The stunning skyscrapers
of Singapore City.
Once homes,
now just houses

For a house to be a home,
It has to be as protective
as a sturdy father
but as comforting and tender
as a loving mother.

For a house to be a home,
It has to send you out
like a launching pad
and welcome you back
like a landing strip

For a house to be a home,
It has to deflect
the howling winter winds
It has to counter
the buzzing summer heat

For a house to be a home,
It has to fish you out
of the sea of grief
And let you dry off
on the dry sands of joy.

Many homes in the past,
Many homes in the future
Only one home in the present
My home
right now
      is in Vietnam