Beneath a sale sign

(two stories, stained glass):

a family of skeletons on display, Halloween peering

through their ribs. A choose-your-own-adventure

bundle of bones that lets us try on the house as if

we could afford a lifetime together. Your whispered dream –

your wandering hands – to live here someday – nestled

snug in my pockets. I’d do anything to make that true:

mortgage my spine, escrow my marrow, crack my ribcage

to make you a home.