Two Rooms Left

to decorate. Only
then can I leave this house,

after I paint the bedroom
apricot, buy red curtains,

even though we’re broke,
because I need this house,

this house, that has eroded
our home with each crumbling wall.

I have stopped talking to our dead dog,
so I can leave his grave behind, stopped

wishing for things I cannot have.
Still all we have is a house;

still, all we have
is a wish.

Donna Reis