Coming Home
 
The students are coming home for Christmas.
Some have green hair and are fatter
because of chips and pot noodles.
Some are thinner because of love.
 
They wonder at the smallness of the buildings
and smile at the displays in the little shops.
Their bodies don’t fit the bed like before
and the wall posters are embarrassing.
 
For a day or two they can’t find the teabags.
Their mother has forgotten how much they eat
and has to send out for supplies.
One has gone vegan and didn’t think to say.
 
Their thumbs are busy talking even while
they answer the neighbours’ questions.
There is an argument.
They wonder at the smallness of their parents.

Jane Pearn

 
If you have any thoughts on this poem, Jane Pearn would be pleased to hear them.