Maybe home is
I.
A torn cardboard box
of starfruit sits
on the breakfast table
freshly picked
from the backyard tree.
You only asked for one,
but your grandfather
didn’t think one
was enough since
you can’t get these at
home.
II.
The best Christmas gift you got
this year was from
a man at church.
Your grandmother told him
your stomach hurts
when you eat,
but you love
those out of season apples
and the food here
doesn’t hurt you,
so he drove to the country
and found one bag
to give your grandmother
to place
underneath the tree.
III.
Your station wagon
hugs the side of the rock
as you race up the mountain.
You are in the backseat
and these trips from school
to home only takes
five minutes.
Every bump
and crack, crater
carved into the road
sends you on a rocking rollercoaster
with nowhere to go but
up.
IV.
The only direct flight to Kingston
leaves at 6:15pm everyday.
You listen to the same announcements
each time you board:
Passengers,
this flight is full
of luggage
stuffed with
can you carry this down for mi mother
mi sister
mi aunty
and staff who’ve invited you to check
your attitude
and bags at the gate.
There’s enough room in the cabin
for you to look around and notice
not one tourist.
A torn cardboard box
of starfruit sits
on the breakfast table
freshly picked
from the backyard tree.
You only asked for one,
but your grandfather
didn’t think one
was enough since
you can’t get these at
home.
II.
The best Christmas gift you got
this year was from
a man at church.
Your grandmother told him
your stomach hurts
when you eat,
but you love
those out of season apples
and the food here
doesn’t hurt you,
so he drove to the country
and found one bag
to give your grandmother
to place
underneath the tree.
III.
Your station wagon
hugs the side of the rock
as you race up the mountain.
You are in the backseat
and these trips from school
to home only takes
five minutes.
Every bump
and crack, crater
carved into the road
sends you on a rocking rollercoaster
with nowhere to go but
up.
IV.
The only direct flight to Kingston
leaves at 6:15pm everyday.
You listen to the same announcements
each time you board:
Passengers,
this flight is full
of luggage
stuffed with
can you carry this down for mi mother
mi sister
mi aunty
and staff who’ve invited you to check
your attitude
and bags at the gate.
There’s enough room in the cabin
for you to look around and notice
not one tourist.
Fall 2026
Kailah Trice is just a Jamaican-American girl trying to share her experience with the world. She is from Atlanta, Georgia by way of Kingston, Jamaica and writes children’s and adult poetry inspired by her upbringing in both cities. She has been published in Wingless Dreamer’s Breathing Poetry, Dewpoint Digital, online on Girls Write Now’s website and elsewhere. When she’s not writing, you can find her being amazing at video games, cosplaying, or baking her favorite desserts.
Art: L. I. Henley
“Scorpio Girl: After Rebecca Hart Olander's Singing from the Deep End,” 2026
Colored pencil, acrylic, notebook paper, found The Jesus and Mary Chain album art
“Scorpio Girl: After Rebecca Hart Olander's Singing from the Deep End,” 2026
Colored pencil, acrylic, notebook paper, found The Jesus and Mary Chain album art