Touchdown on that blessed tarmac
Longed for this moment for days
Thousands of seconds it took
Finally expectation faces reality

A new abode  made amongst strangers
My bed made in a foreign Place  
Unfamiliar faces surrounding me  
They speak yet I don't understand
Far from all that is home

The days moved
No longer did I feel estranged
The local tune turned sweet
Elements  embraced me
The mosquito befriended me  
Strange food acquainted  my belly

Alas as soon as I settled in
Thoughts of home came knocking with rage
Shattering my new found peace
A battle between present and home ensued
Home did present a strong fight

The heart became set anew
The mind followed suit
Home was best, we resolved
The present was just a fading moment

Time dragged it's feet  
The food lost it's appeal
Present beauties diminished
Sleep evaded me
The night was a dreaded ordeal
The eye fixated on the clock

The good day did finally dawn
It was a battle now settled
Aboard that distance machine  
The temporary fades far from sight
Images of home bright and real
Home is the sweetest place to be

The heavenly sight of the finish line
Devine scent of conquest
Bells of triumph itch to resound
Crowds await to bare witness
Doves anticipate their release
The judges there to approve

A perilous mile it has been
An unforgiving mountain to climb
Fighting a wounded bear
Pulling a locomotive train
Sailing against the tides
Body and mind cannot bear

It was like building in the sea
Constructing lakes in a desert
Brick by brick I moved
Step by step I took
Ounce by ounce I lifted
Training, preparing, waiting

Alas the finish ribbon was near
The glorious ribbon only steps away
The latter pain seemed as nothing
It turned into a pleasurous joy
Breaths away from the moment of glory

The bells did ring
And the trumpets too
The crowds cheered
Birds were released
The Judges did grant
Oh honey is the taste of victory

Melancholies of the mind
Troubles of the heart
Misery that darkens the soul
Pain that consumes the beauty of the day
Sadness that alters the mask

A persistent ill that lingers undeterred
A vulture to take prey of a weakened man
Locked in a dark room
A prison with neither window nor wall
Gloom and weeping the menu for the day

Troubles of this life never-ending
Each new day bears its own demons
Smiles replaced by tears
The laughter of children by the groaning of men
Visions of joy only for the sweetest dream

The day passes fighting a ferocious dog
That is set and locked its jaws
The pain and sadness who can withstand
It fades the hope in men
The strongest soul cannot resist

A pill for this aching soul
A remedy for this life of distress
A drink from a river of smiles
A day full of sunshine's embrace
A joyous life my heart desires
A hope that will linger on