By ALLIE BEENE, November 12, 2021
narrow paths strangle me as my eyes dart back & forth
a street etched with alleys, hoping you don’t find the right place.
the apartment complex, weathered & unstable
many stay for a few months
others remain a small handful of years
close to none declare it home for life
most driven out by the landlady herself.
infrequent & unpredictable janitorial cleans
awol for months on end.
I keep the house key with a mirror in a safe
dotted with love-shaped paint peels
from weighty crowbars.
consequently,
I only dream
of 2 pairs of domestic boots
landing in unison
their owners strolling hand in hand