You open the door and
the creek of the hinge
allowing someone in
and the sound is shrill
because it has been too long
blood rushes to your face as her head turns like a top
looking around while fear walks in after her
since your room is cluttered with books with dog flapped pages from interrupted moments
scribbled notes and reminders,
but none remind you to breath
She looks to you with upturned lips and says
"your room looks so"
your mind rushes to fill in the blanks
does she see the tear stains on the pillow
the worn out teddy bear on your desk
next to the edge of a grapevine from the last rumor you spread
panic flashes and thunder follows
but then she says
"so lived in"
you exhale in relief then try to suck it back in afraid that it will blow away the curtain hiding the cracks
The act seems to be working
How can she not see that words on the pages are not creativity but an outlet for an unborn passion
better on paper than in your palms
to you this room seems more like a cage or a cave, or an asylum
escaping to your room
when the living room becomes unlivable and unbearable
She begins to read the words from your heart
you blush then instantly flush
with embarrassment
Can she tell that the bed is your haven when you look out from your hole all the bread crumbs eaten by vultures
as you wander directionless to your bed
where all your goals vanish and your hopes are for the characters in your stories
when cheers erupt in the football stadium
you whoop with delight as the dragon is slain and the boy gets the girl
but that's not your story
no matter how much you wish it was
She looks at a map and you step in front of it
can she tell that you look at the map to return to the place you once were
but time and tears have made
the directions unclear
She cuts the silence, you back away from the knife
" Do you want to see my room"
is she not repulsed by the dark monsters I keep entertained under my bed
they snarl and bark and your always afraid
but no, she has not noticed
so I agree
interested to see what lurks beneath her bed
glad to snip the cord between me and mine