It could've been
the sweet scent
that sank into sheets.
It could've been
the peel of the red
dress from shoulder
blades, like a layer
of skin.
It could've been
black shoes
left by the door
that shone
like piano keys.
Maybe it was
the room draped
across your back,
how you pulled
it around us,
shrinking the world
into something
we could
understand.
No,
it was just
the hollow sound
of the closing door
that made me wish
you never left.