Lock Him in the Attic

When he gets bad we lock him in the attic
with a clock
Once he's somewhat broken down
we let him eat with us –
phase him slowly back into circulation
We have a list of recommendations
which he has agreed to
but I think he's pretending
Yesterday, he climbed out the skylight
shimmied down the drainpipe
and walked to the beach
He swam for an hour or so
before coming home
I think he's nearly ready


~ ~ ~


A writing teacher told me
I ought to explain my stories more
and I said, it's all in there
and he said, look, 'Ashely',
even if you get anyone to read them
they're not going to waste their time
decoding your clues
So I said, fuck it, I'll write poetry


~ ~ ~


They slept on my floor
stole my clock
a couple records
some cash
cool as rain

When I got a spare room
they had a bed to sleep on


~ ~ ~