The Room You Left Me In

 companion to “Haunted House”

I was never hiding.
I was waiting.
For the door to creak
the right way.
For the footsteps
that knew my name
without flinching.

You left the light on
once.
That was enough.

Dust kept me company.
Spiders spun lullabies.
Even the shadows
learned not to scare me.

I listened to the walls grow old.
I counted winters
by the way the wind changed
its tone.

I forgave you
before you even turned the key.
You were just trying
not to disappear.
I get it.

So take off your shoes.
I swept the floor.
And when you’re ready—
we can go play.