the house across the street
has been empty
for years
because the landlord can’t afford
to tear it down
or build a new one
and it won’t pass inspection
one lamp stays on
all day
all night
to deter the copper thieves
or any other broken soul
seeking shelter
from the streets
a child runs across the splintered floor
his feet black as tar
stinking of mildew and *****
a mother sinks into her soiled chair
but she tries
a trust-fund recipient rides his jet-ski
his oiled body
tanned and toned
a father, gleaming, takes a photo
and he flaunts
everyone has their own place in the world
in a trailer park
in a tent
in a split-level home
in a shelter
in a palace
but never on the pavement
beaten down
like a poorly-trained dog
blamed for the errors
of its master
Feb 2, 2019
Feb 2, 2019 at 11:38 AM UTC
the house across the street
has been empty
for years
because the landlord can’t afford
to tear it down
or build a new one
and it won’t pass inspection
one lamp stays on
all day
all night
to deter the copper thieves
or any other broken soul
seeking shelter
from the streets
a child runs across the splintered floor
his feet black as tar
stinking of mildew and *****
a mother sinks into her soiled chair
but she tries
a trust-fund recipient rides his jet-ski
his oiled body
tanned and toned
a father, gleaming, takes a photo
and he flaunts
everyone has their own place in the world
in a trailer park
in a tent
in a split-level home
in a shelter
in a palace
but never on the pavement
beaten down
like a poorly-trained dog
blamed for the errors
of its master
