How I used to long to be br walking along the hardwood floors. br A mattress, br naked of sheets, br pushed back against the back wall of your bedroom br br An open hallway with br the living room off to the right br and on the left, the bathroom br in its green and white br linoleum splendor. br br On the far wall, br to the right, br behind the torn br worn br forlorn blue upholstered couch br br a cascade waterfall br coming from the ceiling br of CD cases and old albums; br Double dynamite br Elvis never looked so alive. br br Around the corner br the kitchen, br where I'd make you pancakes br or french toast, br The choice is yours, darling. br br And then the front door, br the place I hoped to never exit. br The place I longed to walk through br from out in the cold of reality br into warmth br and into my positive reinforcement. br br The place where I could really feel beautiful br in nothing but a navy button-down shirt.