Building a Home

from the ground up

I build my home-
Lay the foundation,
smooth out the grey
cotton wrinkles
to make my portion
of this one bathroom,
twenty cot "house".

I build my home-
Layer neatly,
like sparse bricks...
two pairs of socks,
four shirts, one sweater,
extra pair of jeans.
Fill up the walls of
three drawers
I get to call "mine".

I build my home-
Select the decor...
contemporary anguish.
Highlight my theme
on my section of wall
with a handful of photos
I managed to grab
the night I ran.

I build my home-
Greet my new neighbors,
say hello with shamed, down-turned glances.
Break the ice with petrified small talk.
Bring to the first block party....
the *Group Therapy Potluck!*,
my dish of abuse.
Sample others' taste of torture...
         Notice that I learn
         as I eat.

I build my home-
Begin to do yard work.
Landscape a fresh green life.
Pull out weeds choking my potential.
Plant self-esteem seedlings,
Take stones that once blocked
to form a new path.

I build my home-
Leave fear at the door.
Make memories worth reliving.
Bring pride to my space.

I build my home-
I build me.