Miles by Elizabeth Califano, ‘28

You’re close to me

because my heart holds you there

holds a house for you

with a freshly made bed and polished countertops

neatly folded clothes in organized closets

perfectly fluffed pillows and a vacuumed carpet

all for you

even though you’re miles away 

but when you want to open the door

to the house

the keys are under the mat

slightly tarnished

from the rain and the storms

the dry heat that quickly turned humid

the cold temperatures that rose to ninety degrees in a day

all for you

yet you’re still miles away

so when you want to hold my hand

and come home

if you even realize there’s a home for you with me

drive the miles to come home

because the keys will still be under the doormat when you get here.