"Your Old Room" by Coco Wallace

Your Old Room

Coco Wallace, Stevenson University

Artist Statement: "Your Old Room" is an anaphora poem that uses the repeating phrase "I remember." It is inspired by my older sister, our complicated relationship, and the emptiness that followed after she moved out of our childhood home.

---

"Your Old Room" 

I remember the DIY spa days we would share.

I remember how you delicately handled the crafts with care.

I remember racing to the kitchen to try nail marbling,

though you were the one I was truly marveling.

I remember stirring colors of blue and orange to make 

a mystical morning-dew blend—perfect, for your sake.

I remember the excitement between us brewing into conflict.

I remember that opposites may complement or contradict.

I remember that I am blue

calm, eager, and curious.

I remember that you are orange

happy, supportive, but ready to turn red.

I remember mixing and laying together

the marbling on our nails.

I remember adding too much azure,

forgetting that being myself with you often fails.

I remember you demanding that I leave

because my questions asked too much.

I remember wanting a reprieve

but the sun I had already touched.

Scarred by the sun.

It could not be undone.

I remember the anger and the disgust in your voice

colored with the orangey-red of a burning flame

and the ice-cold blue of the Arctic Ocean.

I remember being reduced to that ice cube state

frozen and unmoving.

I remember melting down at the touch of your flame

sweltering and subduing.

I remember you leaving the house,

like abandoning me was just something to do. 

I remember not knowing you at all,

wishing I had even the faintest of clues.

I remember you were only starting anew,

and that it was all just so misconstrued.

I remember seeing how sky-high you flew

but I still missed our perfect morning-dew.

I remember the silence and empty room,

devoid of color, absent of your

hues of orange and my shades of blue. 

I remember no longer getting my nails painted 

and not having someone to talk to.

I remember 

missing you.