[p o e t r y]

The Room I Lived In

I sleep in a room
That I used to live in

I got saved in this room
I grew up in this room
I had sleepovers
And tea parties here
I had relationships begin
And end here

I sobbed in that corner
When I learned
Our church member died

I read books against that back wall
For hours at a time

I sat in that closet
On my angriest nights
Snapping glass
Crying out
And painting the world red
With my tears

I listened to my iPod
And stared at that wall

I used that mirror
To get ready
For every prom

...and now I'm here
Sleeping in the room
That used to be mine
Surrounded by walls I know
And furniture I had
And yet
This room is no longer
My own

I simply sleep
In the room
I once lived in

(08/15/22)