I find myself
stepping on ants
just because I can—
something I haven’t done
since I was seven.

There is a “For Sale” sign
in the manicured lawn
belonging to the maroon house
on 347 Maroon Court.

There are moving boxes
stacked neatly in the garage,
strangers trampling down the white carpet
with their shoes still on,
strawberries growing in garden beds
that will ripen in time
for fresh lips,
and lights being flicked
on and off
by the hands of those
who have no idea
that the hallway light
only turns on
when the garbage disposal is off.

There are contracts, offers,
and empty rooms
all haunted
by the ghosts and echoes
of a family
who once called this place
Home.

There is a “For Sale” sign
in the manicured lawn
belonging to the maroon house
on 347 Maroon Court
and dead ants in the driveway.

– Gracie Schwenk