I pretend to sleep

I pretend to sleep while you work on fixing up the place
I tell you those things don’t need repairing, but I let you do it anyway

Plaster torn down, stairs rebuilt, insulation exposed
I’m disappointed by the mess we’ve made

I sneak down to the party and greet the guests

A friend from the past is there
He protects me, guides me, ushers me through my own house

His arms around me, holding me close, as I say my hellos

A guest I don’t recognize
Their appearance has changed

I do my best to seem happy while sheepishly asking them to explain who they are