Family Dining

What a starry night it is, you think
back from dinner with your family
during which your youngest boy
trying to impress you
put a whole piece of spicy sushi
in his mouth and had to
spit it out in the bathroom.

Later, he told you he
loved  you, like italicized,
and that's really something.

Now, at the end of the driveway
getting the mail, seeing the stars,
looking at the dark house while
trying to find the key
juggling a bottle of wine
and the recycling bin,

You think maybe you should
write them a letter while they
still like you a little bit
apologizing for having to
go away someday.