Staying

orange crayon on the inside of the toy closet door

cracks in the tile

finger smudges on the lower glass panels of the french study door

faded plastic swing

weathered wooden steps to a lookout

candles partly melted

books and books read over and over

silent pianos, notes still ring in the air

grass outside the sink window 

dirt hill where mud pies baked

stacked beds sleepy heads

laughtered walls

front door staying open 

all day

remember the rat we all corralled out the front door

someone had a broom

we all yelled 

remember when the door opened on its

own the day after she left

like it used to when Spottie went

from garage to backyard

and we thought it was her coming

for a visit

the rush to be on time but we were

always just a few minutes late

naps

Prime Rib Sunday dinners

chats about wedding jobs

hard to hope 

of making other memories

I will hold on to this place

where I gave my life

there are more of the good

than the pain that remains

so I will keep what I have

and stay