The Things I Leave Behind
Location
One last look - that's all you get,
You'll be back but it will never be the same.
Memories taped to the wall,
The setting sun spilling onto the for-once neat bed,
Collected books left to collect dust.
Mom's sleepy good-morning smile,
The rising volumn of the television with the remote in Dad's hands,
The smell of a dinner almost ready.
Tiny handprints set in concrete in the backyard,
My favorite sunken couch cushion,
The dog waiting to see where I go.
One last look - that's all I get,
I'll be back but for a different length of stay.