day 11

For today's prompt, take the phrase "No One Wants (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write the poem. Possible titles include: "No One Wants to Tell the Truth," "No One Wants to Save Their Money," "No One Wants to Write a Sestina," etc. I hope everyone is ready to write a poem today!

No One Wants to Be the Last to Leave

Or, maybe it's okay.
How many times can you look around
and say
no one again, will pull into this gravel drive
will need help opening the door,
bags under each arm, full,
for many

How many more times
can you look up at the red birch
and know she has a name

Just leave
and leave the door open
for anyone who just needs shelter
or something to steal
from no one
a shower
a bed
silence

Just leave
kicking up the gravel for the last time
you do it, you,
saying the tree's name
and the name of the road
and the name of the next
until you've never heard the name
of that road
before

until all you know is hunger
- thank goodness -
and a powerful,
growing
thirst