Take a deep breath

And try to remember

That things have not always been this way

Feel the cold air on your skin

And the way the cracked wood curls

Find the beauty in this house

And the people who built it

The backyard spreads out under you

Remember the kiddie pool

The tomato garden

And the creaky swing

You were always afraid

That the spokes would come right out of the ground

The slide felt miles long

But you see now that it's just a few feet off the ground

Your favorite part was the two swings that faced each other

You and your brother laughed in each other's faces

Never wanting to come down

You never realized how truly small everything is

Because you were just as little

This staircase was invisible

Irrelevant to you

But now it's your everyday

You're scared that they're going to collapse

And you laugh about it

With a hint of truth

You were never tall enough to see over the trees

You didn't think there was anything there

But there are other houses

Other lives

Some just as torn apart

Or so it seems

Maybe they could be homes too

In times of need

Or for others

Times of love

The inside is too hot

And the outside is too cold

But for her it's just right

Because you're here

She flickers the lights and shouts up the steps

Grasping for love

Leaving her heart at the door

In the only way she knows how

You know that you worry her when you're honest

And you wonder if she'll still love you if she knew

If she'll insist that you're kidding

You drop it

Every time

Even though that's exactly what you swore you'd never do

Love me

You both shout at each other

Through soundproof doors