I missed a week of advent

I missed a week of advent

as if it disappeared

or maybe never happened

I was in another place

with decorations and

carols all around

and greetings of cheer

from nice, new people

friendly, but unfamiliar

I sat in hotels, meetings and planes

that little convinced my heart or

soul of the soon coming day

I have returned home  

bearing an unseen weight

of responsibilities and

expectations with slight chance

I’ll catch up

or be caught up

Layover

Chicago, Denver
Maybe Memphis
Please not Houston
Somewhere else

No longer here
But not yet there

Time absent of
Context
Becomes unrecognizable

Voice of authority
Garbles overhead
“Would I know if they called my name?"

Masses wait, some are better
At this game than others

How strange
To be a place
That no one
Wants to inhabit