the streets of my old neighborhood

Tonight I took myself out
and had a vegan mocha cupcake
for dinner.

And then I walked myself home in the dark.
It was a perfect evening
in many ways.

I walked the streets of my old neighborhood
and passed that old house with the cluttered porch.
There are still more chairs
than inhabitants.
It makes me smile.

There is something healing
in putting one foot
in front
of the other.

But I must say
there is a deep ache within me
for that sacred space
where I can exhale
and know I belong.

For now
I will keep walking.