I wish that I could gather all of the people that I love
and place them in one room.
There would be couches and blanket and chairs enough
for everyone.
I would serve them bread I made by hand
and pasta stirred in homemade sauce
followed by wine I bought specially for them.
And after we had all brushed crumbs from our mouths,
we would play the kind of games you play
with people who know what makes you laugh.
Who know all of your nicknames, your catchphrases,
the way you always spill water when you walk
and can only buy books in threes.
Who know the way your brain never shuts off
and you need to be told
to rest.
Who know the way you get quiet and withdrawn
when something is wrong, and you just want
someone to ask,
“What is wrong?”
Who know not to believe you
when you tell them,
“Nothing.”
And this room of people that I love is full.
There are beds here for everyone to sleep tonight.
And tomorrow, they will all stay here.
No one will move to another city,
another state,
another country.
Tomorrow night someone else will make a meal,
and we will eat together again.
We will play another game
or, perhaps, watch a movie,
and afterwards, we will all talk
and talk and talk
until the moon begins to descend again.
Darby Brown is an emerging writer and poet from Nashville, TN. She has recently completed her MA in creative writing at the University of Birmingham in England and now lives in London where she continues to fall in love with the way words and stories can lead us toward a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. In addition to being a monthly contributor for HYW, she serves as an editorial intern. Follow her on Instagram @darbybrownwrites.
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