There's a Tv

I sometimes forget to address how

Hazy home feels

Because

I've been away

Chasing corrections and candy chews.

Listening for the click clack of

Hard worn boots

And Lauryn Hill.

Nothing ever seems to matter

When I'm looking at my feet.

Planted between street corners

And memories.

I can hear the laughter

Rolling from my belly

Like film on cassette tapes.

I know exactly where we built forts out of old sheets

And I can smell the crackling of gas stoves

And hurricane chicken.

That house,

With its broken doors

And bar sealed windows

Sings spirituals.

And I am possessed with the thought

That maybe

Maybe there are good things painted behind the wall paper.

Maybe we said I love you over the scratching of Earth Wind and Fire.

And I mistook our adlibs for yelling.

Maybe you're still sitting on the porch

Waiting for me to turn the corner?

Because the sun is dimming

And the street lights are busy.

Sometimes I forget to address how

Hazy home feels

Because

I've been away.

I've been away trying to find the branch he cut off our magnolia tree.

Trying to mend fences that never had gates,

And I hope you've left me a key

Because I know the doorbell is still broken

And the tv is too loud for you to hear me knocking.