Leaving Hanover

It’s never easy /
even when the road’s wide open /
even when you tell yourself / you’re done.
Hanover holds on /
not loud /
just a weight behind your ribs.

The classrooms are still /
chalk ghosts on slate /
late sun curling on desks like memory.
Dice clattered once / in a frat house on Main /
no one remembers who won / or who stayed.
She was there / blond / Jersey /
laughing like she meant forever.

The Range Rover still slides past the Green /
a ghost in a cashmere coat /
the country club in Quechee still serves salmon /
to someone who might’ve been me /
if I’d said yes / just once more.

I’m leaving Hanover /
and yes / I chose this /
but you never really leave /
you just stop opening the door.

and if you’re still there /
watching me fade behind the hill /
then know this:
if you wait for me / I’ll remember your name.

I left / not because I stopped loving /
but because staying was too still /
and love / real love / moves.

It’s easier to leave /
than to be left behind /
but promise me /
you’ll walk a little slower / just in case.