Tears spring to my eyes
without warning.

I am walking a strange path
in a distant land,
far from my known and loved surroundings.

Suddenly a few notes, or familiar sounds
float to my ears,
explode on my resolve and reserves,
melting them away,
leaving me vulnerable, sad and lonely.

Longing to be with the people I love,
and places I remember.
Knowing that this is a dream,
not a reality,
is hard to accept.

Soon, the pleasant memories
overcomes the sadness,
and leaves me able to gird
myself to face today,
and tomorrow.