This House of Youth

Two young girls sprint down the stairs.
Laughing as one of them shouts "FASTER!"
They run into a nearby bedroom and lock the door behind them.
I can hear their faint laughs
as they climb into the bed that belongs to her cousin.

So much love and friendship in that bed.

I lay on my older brother's mattress that was lazily thrown upon the floor.
Stressful nights that led to "the very last cigarette",
Left his sheets drowning in the stench of it.
A windowless room that lies at the foot of the stairs.

The 16-year-old boy with his new lover,
Calls her "baby" and she loves it.
He holds onto her hand,
as if they were to be separated in this house of youth.

to be continued...