My stomach clenches as I hear your fist warp the banister,
sweaty fingers slide from the flaking painted-over rust,
feet thudding like mismatched first steps,
redundantly walking up
when you’re already quite far enough into the clouds.
Tension relaxes
the doorknob is left unscathed
the lights flick off, and I am comforted
to know that when your eyes are closed
I can at least pretend I know you again.