Poetry About Emigrating From Portugal

She folds a blue-tiled street between her dresses. Her fathers address stays inside the passport. The plane rises west above the Atlantic. New vowels wait beyond the arrival gate. Years later, bread and coffee summon the old kitchen. A homeland travels farther than the body.

Look again from the quieter edge. Her fathers address stays inside the passport. A smaller detail changes the whole scene. New vowels wait beyond the arrival gate. Attention loosens the first easy answer. A homeland travels farther than the body.

She folds a blue-tiled street between her dresses. Hours pass, but the image does not leave. The plane rises west above the Atlantic. It returns us to departure, Portugal, family, language, work, ocean crossings, and belonging carried into a new country. Years later, bread and coffee summon the old kitchen. The day continues with a more attentive heart.