by the end of the week

they're almost out of the house.

but there are

pictures still on the wall, 

a family

portrait

on the mantle.

a jar of peanut butter

on the counter.

a box of cheerios.

there's food in the fridge.

milk,

butter, eggs.

the shower curtain

still hangs

in the tub.

there are shoes on the steps.

a lawnmower

in the garage.

old clothes in a pile

on the deck.

and a snow shovel

and a bag of salt

on the porch.

we're almost out, she says.

by the end of the week we'll

be in Leesburg.