This Place

Given the time we’re all spending “sheltering” in our homes right now, it seemed apropos to share this poem. The spaces we inhabit, and how we choose to inhabit them, tell stories.

For years, I’d had the idea to write a poem about each address I’ve lived at. When I received a “list-poem” prompt, I thought it would be the perfect form for the subject matter. With only about 15 minutes to write, I needed to distill the “story” of each space. 

Here’s the result:

1.
Fleming Ave.

I write on the wall
and blame you

2.
Grey St.

when we move
the walls close in

3.
Berkley Pl.

everything pink
grandmother chose it
everything mine

4.
Uplands Dr.

we drove 5,000 km to
lose each other
in these rooms

5.
Craig Henry Dr.

our first stairs
now we can separate

6.
Hinchey Ave.

one day I don’t go home because
a spider guards the keypad

7.
Dupuis St.

at night, I watch hookers
from the balcony

8.
Oakdean Cresc.

not city, not lakeside
I stay angry inside
you stay angry outside

9.
Churchill Ave.

I unpack a decade
pare everything back to one

10.
Parkdale Ave.

my wings stay open
I fill all the space