Leaving

I think of you

As I pack away the last of the treasures

I’ve gathered over the years

Into boxes to throw away

I need to make room for you

And these treasures have been

Hidden in my closet so long

The memories have rotted around them

I sweep the broom across the floor

And think of how since I’ve come

To this place I’ve had to work on my smiles,

Teach them how to curve again the way they used to

But they’ve never been quite right

And you were the only one to see that

I was letting go of myself for everyone else

I’m leaving for her too,

So she never has a chance

To taste the atmosphere with her tongue

And learn to speak like a viper

And only to smirk, never to laugh

Time for water and vinegar

Now that the clothes are in plastic bags

So they don’t get wet

This mixture will kill the bacteria

Left in my life and finally

When the room is emptied

I’ll say my final prayer, final goodbye

And leave this brokenness behind forever