Home is where I grew up It's where we buried my favorite dog It's the yellow and red tulips in the back yard It's the memories of the celebrations and holidays It's where my friends were It's the tennis court on the next block It's the elementary school we walked to It's the library rock wall that we walked along It's the skating rink we go to every Friday night It's where I grew up It's the kitchen where the height measurements on the door frame still stand It's the closet from my room where I hid my secrets It's the long nights I stayed up laughing with my sister It's achievements I was awarded It's the kitchen cabinet where I would always hide It's the memory of my brother and how he treated us It's the barking in the middle of the night when we got our new puppy who is now bigger than I am It's the shed in the yard next door where I had fun It's the memory of my neighbors It's the nights I spent grieving with my sister It's Jimmy joining in the army It's where I got most of my injuries It's the sleepovers with my friend Tennison It's how me and Makayla danced in the dining room It's my job as a babysitter and a dog walker It's my crush living at the end of the block It's the abandoned house where we hung out It was the trips to JR's house It was where I learned to ride a bike, crochet, play soccer, basketball, tennis It's where I discovered myself It's the memory of packing and moving out It's Greg and his family trashing my dad's hard work Home is not riding the bus to school It's not my brother moving out It's not the drama It's not the bad things that have happened It's not the hospital bills It's not the white picket fence in the front yard This may be where I live and I know my thoughts will change but for right now This is not my home.