More Than 4 Walls

Lush ground through bare feet,

amongst butterflies on daisies,

A bonfire’s blaze stirring unspoken awe,

billowing smoke trailed into a starry night

A cat’s gentle nudge against my cheek,

sunlight’s sliver cascading through curtains,

The worn down spine of a book in my lap,

Crisp turn of the page against my finger,

Eyes darting ahead in quiet anticipation,

Unfolding characters who feel more like friends

And twists to rival the best imaginations,

The softening of a toddler’s head against my shoulder,

The world through the lense of childlike wonder,

First sip of freshly brewed coffee,

As the sunrise ritual before the day begins,

And you,

All of this and you,

Standing there with your half smile,

The way your thumb traces my hand

When you hold it in yours.

My home can’t be explained simply,

It isn’t a structure built from skilled labor,

Not a monetary value on a screen,

It’s the magic of the fleeting,

Rare pleasure in the mundane,

It’s what makes this life worth any trial,

And it’s you.