A Tale of Ten Homes

I've resided in many homes, 

in many cities and towns, 

in multiple countries, in my life

I

The first one I can remember was in Poland, a bright carpeted bedroom

Where I would listen to poetry audiobooks as I drifted off to sleep

I'd recite them by heart in the morning

II

When we first moved to Canada, we stayed a few nights in a motel room

I thought it was the most exciting thing ever

Eating Wendy's for dinner

III

There's a nostalgic bliss of all the time before my tenth birthday

An innocence I can only strive for in my dreams

Building forts from an old couch in my room

IV

Our very first house, but not much of a home

A backyard that lacked grass and laughter

No siderails leading to the basement

V

We never liked the view, leading to the driveway

Maybe that's why our cat ran away

And we got a new friend

VI

A blip in time, the cats multiplied

A new house that wasn't meant to last

On a crumbling foundation

VII

Teenage years spent sulking on the bed

Laptop warming my thighs

The passing train shaking my glass softly

VIII

A hole in the wall

We all lived on top of each other, no privacy

My escape was my required reading for British literature class

IX

Roaches were unwanted visitors

As was the bass music drifting from the store below

Building a home takes sacrifice

X

The fruit of my labour

A true home, sweet as a pear

A new start