doors

the old house, exactly the same
but somehow colder than before
the uncles and aunties had left late
and you spent the night in your old bed
but you didn't sleep, you just stared
wide awake
afternoon came, overcast
listless leaves rattled on by
never knew you'd be
the last one to lock the door

parents gone, moving on
you take ten steps and stop
to look back, gazing
down the empty alleyway
he thunders towards you
yelling at you to get back in the house 
but you just stare
until his image runs out of memory
and dissipates into air
a long, lingering glance
waiting for something or someone
for absolution or an apology
but it's no use knocking
there's no one home anymore