you're not from a place

until you leave the place

only then does it become true

when the familiar scenes

you've loved and known

you find others

never knew

you're not from a place

until you leave the place

only then does it become real

when the quiet bench

in the secret spot

is no longer yours

to feel

you're not from a place

until you leave the place

only then does it become clear

that the memory

of trifles had

turned into something

you hold dear

you're not from a place

until you leave the place

this, I learned too late

because once you're from

a second place

there's no refuge

you can take