Opalocka Drive

how the empty house

on Opalocka drive

reminds me

of things.

the same shadows

are there,

the same slant of roof,

and tree

in the yard spread

wide,

the same bare rooms

and walls.

the same flight of stairs,

catching the sound

of my shoes,

one after the other.

someone

will return soon,

from a far away land.

he'll put the key into the slot 

and turn,

struggling to get it out

as i have done

when time to leave.