she hides my keys

when i try to leave

 

heart breaks

to not always stay

 

i’d move into the attic

sleep on scratchy carpet

choking 3rd floor air

to be able to

bound down the stairs to her room

morning

first thing

 

eat breakfast out of bowls

on the couch

silently smiling

the rasp in her voice

her choice of cartoons

 

to be there always

never leaving

i wouldn’t have to take

snapshots with my mind

to remember

 

the way she pours milk

the smooth scar on her knee

the freckle under her eye