surrounded
every day
by glow-in-the-dark stars
gummed to the ceiling
and photos
like a virus engulfing the walls

images of wooden birds and chlorine-rich summers
cherry blossoms and children in plastic hats
taped mosaic
across plaster

the house
over a century old
with closed-off dumbwaiters
grimy stained glass
tin ceilings sagging
canned antiquity

house under tree bower
turns pink at dusk
mourning doves nest
on the air conditioner crying

night house drowns in dark ink
facade retreating into obscurity
windows glow over the street
where light from passing cars
swims into dark rooms
disappearing into the walls again