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Visiting
He planned on moving out
This place that held the living dead
These halls that magnified the screams
His wristband said otherwise
Trapped here for life
Though it would be a temporary stay
In a way
You could tell from the state of his mind
And the stare of his eyes
That he didn't have to wait too much longer
To leave these haunted halls
He told me how his mother yelled
When he was caught sneaking out to the shadows
Full name, "Robert!"
And I wonder if he wishes to sneak out
To disappear into the shadows like he did when he was young
A caregiver there to stop him
Just not the one who knew his full name
No legs to run away on
But wheels they gave as a substitute
The conversation was absurd
But I thanked him for his time
He told me that he planned on moving out
Glimmering hope in his eyes
I smile because he is fragile, I smile because he is sure
I smile because I want out of this place too
He asks if I'm staying for dinner
A leftover mashup from yesterday's planned to perfection meal
I tell him I'm only visiting
And he says the same
I smile because hope is more fragile than bones
More fragile than legs taken clean from under us
More fragile than the mind that breaks down so easily
He smiles too
Because he is only a visitor
Because he is leaving very soon, he says
And there's something so sure in his shaky voice
Something so determined in his eyes
He assures me that he's moving out
So I wish him luck
Because Death is his realtor
He tells me about the shadows
Sneaky things and full names
I leave him with the hope that I'll be back tomorrow
And I will, just not for him
I never knew Robert, nor did he know me
I wish I had, wish I could hear his stories
Though shaky, he was wise
Afterall
He told me he was only visiting
And visiting he was.
Copyright ©
Nora Brand
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