Because They're Not in Town

They can’t get to know

The four who grab beers

At the bar down the street

Because they’re not in town

The annual trip to Greece

Meant there was no checking out

The block party

Or the birthday party

For their favorite niece

But everyone knows

That’s how they are

They’re well-off

And well-liked

And never around

If you need them

Good luck

Because they’re not in town

It’s two weeks at the beach house

And one on the island

One in London

Two weeks in France

A cruise or two

Depending on their mood

And that wine-tasting trip

That made them miss meeting

A lovely couple

At the bookstore two streets over

Who would have ended up being

Their new best friends

And it’s travel, sure

But it’s something more

Some needless shifting

A restlessness they can’t scratch

And an itch to board a plane

They like pictures in foreign countries

Of sunsets from hotel rooms

As if it’s a different sun

Than the one setting

Back home

They like hotel views

And hotel rooms

And white bathrobes

That come for free

And they’ve never met me

I’m a homebody

But I travel a bit too

I’ve just always been able

To find a fair amount of fun

Within walking distance

They want you to think

They’re neighborhood people

Local stalwarts

Homegrown champions

Community guys
But their passport

Says otherwise

Every so often

A relative

Gets invited along

And family photos are taken

Wholesome and happy

But most of the year

They’re not there

And they can only hope

That their mother or brother

Is satisfied

With that funny photo

From a California ski slope

Tagging themselves at airports

Showing off new bathing suits

Photos of each other

On respective phones

Making you wonder

How much they care

About staying in touch

If staying close by

Means asking too much

So nobody asks

And vacations get planned

Hairlines go back

Wrinkles crowd eyes

They keep hopping planes
More for work now

Than anything else

Too tired to do anything

Once they’re home

Like stop for a meal

At the new place that opened

Five minutes from them

Serves better French food

Than where they went in Paris

Funny how that works sometimes

Funny what you can find

Close by

No reason to stop

Seeing the world

But worth wondering

How much you need to see

Before you feel at ease

They never settle in

Not really

Leave a bag packed

Feel the excitement in that

But when they have a day

To not move

Not explore

A nice day

But no idea

What to do with it

They sit up in bed

And wonder

What could be

Going on

What happens

When they’re not around

And they’re never around

They’re everywhere

But no matter

Because they’re nowhere long

And there’s nothing wrong

There’s nothing wrong

With that

At all