More river than ocean.
Not so much Tesla as diesel.
It’s more dirt and resilience
than computers and rain.
It’s a little like
the B-side cut on a 45,
not sounding much like the band
you know at all.
But like a fraternal twin,
you can see the resemblance
in certain light. And it is light—
named for the “Children of the Sun.”
It’s the birthplace of Father’s Day, 1910,
by a woman named Sonora Dodd.
And me.
Which now feels
like a prophecy
of where I am meant to be
as I write this poem,
from the Sonoran Desert,
in the Valley of the Sun,
just before Father’s Day.
It’s true what they say—
you can leave places,
but your heart never leaves home.
© 2026 Jennifer Wagner
Note: My birthplace, Spokane, WA, is on the “other side” of Washington state and is very different from rainy Seattle. Where I now live in Arizona suits me like a midsummer day.
A beautiful ode to your birthplace and I agree 'your heart never leaves home' I look forwards to go to my birthplace soon
ReplyDeleteIt's true indeed, Jennifer: 'you can leave places, but your heart never leaves home'.
ReplyDeleteSuch strong sense of that connection to home.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I have to mention " Seattle's Little Sister" has a nice ring to it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the whole poem followed by:
It’s true what they say—
you can leave places,
but your heart never leaves home.
It's true, a part of home will always remain present within me even if I now have new home or whatever.
You will never leave places and as for me, I always felt close to the sea in the dessert.
ReplyDeleteHome is where the heart is...I recently traveled back to my birth area and for me as much as I enjoyed seeing all my old friends and hanging out...i soon missed the rainy and tree covered NW...This was a delightful write and very much enjoyed the sentiment of being back where it all started! Bravo🩵
ReplyDeleteGosh, utterly gorgeous, Jennifer!! You had me at the title and then as I drifted joyfully through the poem, I found more to delight me...the B side cut of a band you know (and sometimes that B side song can blow you away!), the whole feeling of prophecy and being in the desert...there's always magic to be found when I come here, every single time 💖
ReplyDeleteNothing like home beautiful poem
ReplyDeleteA wise conclusion - We all go back to where we belong (REM) - beautifully written - Jae
ReplyDeleteFeels like synchronicity to me. The conclusion you draw can't be argued with. A swell poem that I read multiple times, Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteHome is always home and you've captured it perfectly.
ReplyDelete