you take up so much space

There are people who have come into my life
and made their own space,
a room of sorts,
and they decorate it with their own pictures,
a table, some books, a few items that say
I am here
for a while.
Some people take a seat on the couch
and linger
for a cup of coffee...
but they don't bring any chairs or pictures.
They might carry a mug for the visit
but they take it with them when they leave.
There have been some who just needed to take something
from my life, so I gave them a few of
my blankets, my favorite plates, my bookshelf.
Maybe I gave them more than they deserved
but I didn't know that at the time.
These people sometimes leave
marks on the walls, scratches on the floor,
a mess in your heart.

But you...
You are building a home in my life.
Not a room, not a spot on the couch,
but your own home.

You take up so much space,
sometimes it scares me, so vast,
but the most beautiful space...
so different than the others.
There are windows and light and
it's always changing, growing and
you bring
more of yourself here each day.
It doesn't feel crowded or stuffy
even in the darkest of times.

It's warm, cozy...
safe and strange all at once...
and I never want you to take your pictures,
your coffee mug,
or any of the pieces of you.
Bring everything.
Stay.
Stay for longer than a while.