In "Home is Knoxville," RheaSunshine exalts the beauty found in our city and reminds us to experience nature as a balm during complicated times. Poem shared on October 5, 2020.


Home is Knoxville

By Rhea Carmon

Waking up to hard times on the horizon
Looking for glory in the skies of home
There is no doubt that life is different
We once found peace in connection but now where do we look
When smiles are covered and only our eyes can tell our stories
We must take it one step at a time
Little by little
Finding solace in the pathways through the dogwoods
Don’t think about what will come next
Just put one foot in front of the other to find beauty at every fork in the river
Look to the trees for understanding
Take a walk and stretch your mind
Visit the nature center and let it speak to you of timeless change
Find a creek and sit to write a letter to home
The place we all protect by finding love for her high grounds
Acceptance that although she is changing
We will promise to always see her best parts
Cherish our moments in her heart
Home is more than a place to settle
It is a feeling
A taste
A smell
Warmth that cannot be explained
Home is in the reflection off of the sunsphere
Walking hand in hand at Volunteer landing
It is seeing the smile in somebody’s eyes
And knowing that you are not alone
Home is Knoxville
And we will always find her
In the sound of the cicadas in the trees
World’s Fair Park and trips to the quarry
There is perfection in her ability to always hold us close
So we celebrate home and cherish every amenity
Walking safely together and finding new reasons to love
Home.