Thousands of miles away

Sitting on ruins and volcanic rock

Sporting grand walls

And steep cliff sides

Lies a beautiful town

Creeping morning fog

Rolls on by

Making the town where half my heart resides

Look like a fortress in the sky

An island of architecture and history

Among rolling seas of green hills

It sits along one of the veins connecting city to city.

I recall late evenings

When I couldn’t sleep

Restless from homesickness

Or needing to take a breather from my studies

I would wander the cobblestone streets

I recall frantic mornings

Especially those on Thursday

As the market stalls popped up

Running towards class

Boots pounding against the smooth stones

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach

Those first few days away from home

Tears stung my eyes

As I pulled away from the train station

Leaving half my soul to sleep

Amongst the ancient fortress walls

The clock tower

And the Doumo that glowed in golden light

Every day I miss it

Every day I hope to return

To the town where half my soul sleeps