August

He’s sweating and cursing behind me
Part of me wants to believe he’s been upset all day
because I’m leaving
but he’s just realizing now that she will be leaving him
too.

The brick, ivy, and viridescent grass are ahead
my breath catches and eyes, unbelievably well.
I’ve wanted this moment
for as long as I can remember and the doors are
open.

I’ve had this dress picked out for years now
down to the french knot collar, and a-line skirt
because I knew
that I would get to a place where I would feel
beautiful.

My leather sandals slap faster on the pavement
and I’m paces ahead, feeling my life rushing inside my ears
gripping a new key
the paper envelope it sits inside is crumpled, I’m holding on so
tight.

I’ve arrived, finally and completely
where I’m supposed to become whoever I am.
Less than whole,
Nonetheless, I thrown everything down. I throw it
down.

We grin as we begin to place sheets, paintings
bits of our lives we throw onto the walls, picking up pieces
from the floor.
Flitting across the hardwood and beginning our lives
together.