Nick Flynn Quote

Emptying TownI want to erase your footprintsfrom my walls. Each pillowis thick with your reasons. Omensfill the sidewalk below my window: a womanin a party hat, clingingto a tin-foil balloon. Shadowscreep slowly across the tar, someone yells, Stop!and I close my eyes. I can't watchas this town slowly empties, leaving mestrung between bon-voyages, like so many clotheson a line, the white handkerchiefstuck in my throat. You know the way Jesusrips open his shirtto show us his heart, all flaming and thorny,the way he points to it. I'm afraidthe way I'll miss you will be this obvious.I have a friend who everyone warns meis dangerous, he hidesbloody images of Jesusaround my house, for me to findwhen I come home; Jesusbehind the cupboard door, Jesus tuckedinto the mirror. He wants to save mebut we disagree from what. My version of hellis someone ripping open his shirtand saying, Look what I did for you.