The sun was forgotten
when the boys arrived
the younger fuzzy
draped sleepily over
his father’s shoulder,
the older just antsy
from the confines
of the booster seat.

Always such journeys
end at night with
uncertain entry into
a semi-familiar house
full of strange rules
and different food.

Grandparents have
infinite patience
but it’s limited,
stretched by disappointments
enriched by surprises:
a bird is still a bird
a blank page still needs
pencil lines and crayons;
love is still unconditional
but different from home.