pulling out the drawers, my mind wanders

to adventures & experiences waiting for me

new friends, in a dorm room I've yet to see

arranging the luggage, my heart pounds

louder & faster than it has in a while

my mother walks in, I force myself to smile

fighting back tears, she picks up a pile

of clothes & places them in my arms

tells me to wrap my mugs, to keep them from harm

turning off the lights, I glance around at

the room & bed that have been my home

then walk out the door, to a life of my own