A SHADOW IN YOUR BEDROOM

a poem by Michelle Mangal

A square of four walls and a bed contain so many memories

I left a shadow of myself in your bedroom

I will not keep looking at your bedroom window

to see if a part of me is still there

lingering on your skin
lingering in your sheets
lingering on your fingertips and in your mouth.
I will not keep looking at your bedroom window

to see if a part of me is still there.

lingering on your sheets
lingering on a pint glass
lingering in your house

and in your head.
I left a shadow of myself in your bedroom
She calls me to claim her back, but I cannot
I gave her up willingly
She laid on your bed and
unbuttoned your shirt A kiss for every button loosened
She gazed into your eyes and
licked the salt from your skin

She will remember the freckles on your shoulder

Her dark hands on your white skin

The fade from red to dark

in the hair on your face
Your eyes.

I left a shadow of myself in your bedroom

I will not keep looking at your bedroom window

to see if a part of me is still there.
I dropped a letter at your door

Two lines inscribed with what’s inside my heart

Only addressed to you and London’s anonymous houses.
I will not keep looking at your bedroom window

to see if a part of me is still there.

I will not look for her
For that was five days ago now

I have left and so will she.
I will call her back to my skin

To my body

where she will wait
for new loves
and lips to kiss

and bodies to caress.

I will not keep looking at your bedroom window

to see if a part of me is still there.

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