returning

in the seconds i am home first, the air still
and smelling like rain, i can tell the walls were
lonely, welcoming me as i open my door,
enclosing me within themselves, a room
my room.
a home
my home.

i remember the carpets. lying on them,
brand new. i remember you laying down beside me
just looking at the ceiling. no words
not even a whisper

i remember the way the house shook
when i slammed the door at you
cringing as its bones slowly collapsed

or waking up in the middle of the night
to you standing in the corner.
you are my home.
but now you are just a house