Yesterday

Because yesterday

everything was different,

(the sun shone darker,

the wind blew cooler,

the rain came down harder) --

and because this morning I woke up

and I immediately knew there had been a shift,

(my bed was empty, cold;

white sheets perfectly spread

and untouched like fresh snow) --

and because in the kitchen

piles of dishes were covered

in last night’s makeshift meal,

(flies buzzing around looking for an extra scrap) --

and because when I walk into my living room

piles of boxes were stacked to the ceiling,

full of every memory from

yesterday and beyond --

and because there was no one around,

and I was alone from now on;

I realized no one would be here to guide my every step;

I was an adult now in the real world--

I had grown up.