The houseplants stay put waiting
Lined up by the expanse of windows
As we seasonal visitors come and go
Taking care of their weekly watering
They are the actual residents here
In the place where the mail gets delivered
Selectively scanned as needed
While we each are away for months at a time
You going on your midlife gap year travels
Now being extended to year two
Us wintering in warm subtropical places
Birding the local nature preserves
You may stay when we are not there
Or be off somewhere else in the world
So we need a friend to cover for us
When our official residence sits vacant
We live this transient life for now
Coordinating our schedules
Moving around from place to place
Keeping in touch at a distance
You taking the opportunity
To explore a world of possibilities
What you will do next for work
Where you will choose to be
If you do something entirely different
As I have done more than once in my life
I have found that it will all work out
As long as you stay true to yourself
