Leaving Home

Photo by Edgar Guerra on Unsplash

I first crossed that threshold wrapped in a fuzzy pink blanket,

binky in mouth,

hospital bracelet still on my tiny wrist

Years later I crossed that threshold for the last time

I lingered . . .

In the bedroom that held a crib

then a toddler bed

then a girly canopy
With the radiator whose hiss lulled me to sleep

I lingered . . .

In the hallway
with the modern 70s paneling
and shag carpet
and headed down the stairs

dodging the 3 middle steps that creaked

I lingered . . .

In the living room

at the bookshelf with Readers digest condensed novels

and the Worldbook Encyclopedias that I used in 3rd grade

I lingered . . .

In the kitchen

with its avocado and gold

that served up decades of thanksgiving turkeys and birthday cakes

I lingered . . .

At the front window