I climb the stairs to my room.

Mom’s stewing tomatoes.

The bubbling goo

Creates a welcome heat

Crawling across the floor

Gentlywarming my toes.

I close my door

Softly

Sit on my bed.

I can hear Greenday

Playing quietly from my brother’s room.

The smell of tomatoes is

Overwhelming

But, I don’t notice.

In my hands

Is a book

And its words speak volumes.

As the last pages weave

In,

Out,

In,

Out,

I’m calm.

Everything I need to hear

Is at my

Fingertips.

It feels good.

Hug the book,

Switch off the light.

I think that I’ll sleep well.