A winter coat became my neighbor Old boxes built a cardboard sky A narrow ribbon of the daylight Still finds me when the door swings wide You placed me here one hurried Sunday And said, “I’ll come back soon, I swear” The months grew soft with dust around me But I kept listening from there From the back of the closet I wish you happiness each day Though I am no longer in your arms My love has never gone away I hear you laughing in the hallway I hear new music fill the room I know your life is moving forward Beyond this quiet, folded gloom Sometimes your fingers search above me For scarves or photographs or shoes My little heart begins to wonder If this will be the day you choose But then the wooden door closes And darkness settles like before I do not blame you for forgetting You have a world beyond this door From the back of the closet I send you courage through the wall May every dream you chase grow kinder May someone catch you when you fall I remember when you took me everywhere To breakfast, gardens, trains, and beds Those days are not made less important Because new days have come instead A toy can miss the warmth of someone And still be grateful they have grown Love does not always mean being needed Sometimes it means letting go One evening you may find me waiting Beneath the coat you used to wear Perhaps you’ll smile and hold me briefly Perhaps you’ll leave me resting there Whatever choice your hands are making There is no debt you need to pay From the back of the closet I’ll keep wishing joy into your way
