Emily Parker

I Could Care

When my house was

Yellow

I was unashamed.

I put my hair up and

Wore a blue tank top with purple stripes.

I had cherry popsicles in the summer;

The juice dripped onto the patio.

My bedroom was

Blue.

I drew dragons and I didn’t care.

When my house was

Green

I was ungainly.

I cut my hair short and

Wore shorts and T shirts because it was easy.

I got lost in the summer;

The mud tracked in and stained.

My bedroom was

Cream.

I fell down rabbit holes and I tried not to care.

When my house was

Grey

I was inadequate.

Who cares about my hair?

I wore jeans. I never wore them before.

Why should I remember the summer?

It wasn’t important.

My bedroom was

Blue.

What was I trying to get back?

When my house was

Red

I was trying.

I styled my hair.

I wore jackets and miniskirts.

I had allergies in the summer;

They kept me awake at night.

My bedroom was

Beige.

I sang along and I learned to care.

Now my house is

Taupe

But the door is

Yellow

And it makes me remember.

I put my hair up and

Wear purple tank tops and ripped jeans.

I don’t know what I’ll do this summer;

It could be nothing, or it could be everything.

My bedroom is

Purple.

I think I’ll learn how to sew clothes

Or maybe I’ll learn about dolphins.

I could plant a garden.

Maybe someone will care.