beads of sweat traverse a forehead vein to the bridge of the nose and into the mouth 

gravity still works when you’re lying down

licking salty lips, go close the window

A mother's words linger in the back of the mind

 the bill won’t be worth your last paycheck

floorboards once danced on, cool to the touch 

lay down 

the hardwood bears weight; it is used to more than just you

summer burns a different way when you’re lonely

like saying goodbye to someone

not shouting at them pulling out of your driveway 

rather tears that play with gravity, following trails carved by beads of sweat 

everything in this house used to breathe 

so you pack a suitcase out of habit as the walls, and their photos lay still 

forget to grab it when you walk out the door 

you’ll be right back anyways 

it’s just the AC is broken, and the floor is not cold enough 

the house has flooded with tears and sweat, looking the same 

everyone understands so

come back later 

you know you left your suitcase