The Things I Leave Behind

One last look - that's all you get,

You'll be back but it will never be the same.

Memories taped to the wall,

The setting sun spilling onto the for-once neat bed, 

Collected books left to collect dust.

Mom's sleepy good-morning smile, 

The rising volumn of the television with the remote in Dad's hands,

The smell of a dinner almost ready. 

Tiny handprints set in concrete in the backyard, 

My favorite sunken couch cushion,

The dog waiting to see where I go. 

One last look - that's all I get, 

I'll be back but for a different length of stay.