Hometown Blues

Every day I miss you-

you're so much a part of me,

a lingering presence, a boundless entity.

Every day I wonder

how you hold up in my absence,

and if you know the reason I left-

because to me it makes perfect sense.

I loved you so, but I couldn't stay;

It just wasn't working - I had to get away.

I lived you, breathed you, basked in your grace,

But I had to find peace of mind...

I just needed space.

So many years have passed, so many memories made-

Although occasionally I visit,

my goodbyes were forever bade.

I can never come back, I know that now;

And though "never" is a strong word,

there's just no way, no how...

I can't watch your light dim

from constant blows and costly whims.

I can't bear to watch others destroy you-

You, once a royal treasure, and beautiful beyond measure...

And now all that remains is the shell of you.

I couldn't deal with your constant oppression-

Forever a shadow against my endeavors and transgressions.

I loved you so much, that the thought of leaving hurt,

But now with interactions so brief, and actions so curt;

I see that we'd have gotten nowhere- just drawing circles in dirt.

You pushed me away, can you see that now?

I wanted to stay, but there was no room to move-

So I threw in the towel.

I miss you still, and always will-

the way you light up when you're excited,

but your brightness has been somehow blighted.

I miss your good mood food,

Always something for happy, for sad, for meaningless broods.

I miss all the places you took me,

even though once there, all you'd do was overlook me.

I miss all the things I did,

with you right beneath me like wings,

or like skids;

Supporting me, and me representing you.

I think of these things, and even now I get blue.

I just want you to know that even though we've said our goodbyes,

My loyalty to you is still fierce, I hope it never dies.

You're a huge part of my being

one of the largest reasons for my perpetual alacrity.

It's you I think of when I feel alone,

and you I think of when I think of home.

My balance, my joy, my clarity,

Forever my city,

Forever Cincinnati.