The last goodbye is always the hardest |
Today, I said farewell to the house containing my childhood and countless memories inseparable from the brick and mortar holding up the weathered relic I held the keys, entrusted to me by my father who wanted nothing to do with it To him, it was a chain weighted around his neck and he wanted to be freed. Each room is cold and empty a stark contrast from the vibrant past treasured belongings draping the floors and walls now only the ghosts remain I run my hands over familiar cracks knowing each scar as if it were my own Smiling sadly at the scrapes and dents Knowing which ones were mine The kitchen lies vacant and lonely no pots or pans to keep it company our stove is cleaner than it ever was free of grease and cookie crumbs I open the door to my old bedroom Tacks from old posters still in the walls faint outlines from where furniture sat and now only dust bunnies live here Every stair creaks, and I know each one All the good hiding spots for secret things Where to go when you want to be alone I know every inch of this house I stop in the living room, the heart of the home The carpet is now stained from countless feet Ashes lie in a dead fireplace I softly place my keys on the mantle. This is it, I say Time to go now But my feet won't listen It isn't time to say goodbye Isn't it ironic We all hated living here And yet, we loved it Time is a curious thing. Opening the door, I take one last long look. It is so quiet, but I can still hear the cries the shouts, the laughter, the fights There is something I cannot swallow I shut the door before my hands betray me And stand there on the porch Wondering about who will live here Maybe they will love this place like I do I will never forget you, old friend. As I leave, I look up into a bleak sky To me, it looks like a blank canvas A sign for new beginnings |