crack house

greeter

she hustles us in
eyes tired

shadows stutter
behind nervous trees

 

outer room

screen door grime
a porous portal

paneling drips
frantic carpet

 

living room

up early  ricki lake
an endless loop

tv’s wide blue mouth
the only thing moving

 

pantry

she fast food  she
buy one  get one free

 

kitchen

parched bones
silently akimbo 

peel of burn
gray of skin

he sizzles
cooks

"crack house" was originally published in mystic turf (Willow Books, 2012). Used with permission of the author.