dear landlord, i put my fist into your stomach and pulled out your breakfast, i have no time for your vomit. love, steve

I destroyed the countertop with a handle of vodka

Tore open your microwaves

And expanded my deck into your living room

The tree tops in the back bowed under the weight of silence

………..

Rolled a cigarette and listened to Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street to try and chill out

Delierious from the lack of sleep

Pounding hammers, saws spinning and vacuums on the purr

Cold, half drunk coffee my only friend

Irritated and emotionally destroyed

An electric porcupine with electronic quills

Shivering and strange

No dancing soundtrack, no back up singers and the radio lost down the pipes

Mentally retarded by anger Mentally ill from the lack of sleep

Yesterday this shit should have been done

Yesterday you said so

Yesterday I paid you

Yesterday you promised

You own us.

I can’t think controlled only by the poison in my veins

Thumbnails picking at each other, grabbing at the loose bits of skin

Cigarette still lit and burning close to the flesh

I’ll dance again when there is peace

I’ll dance again when I get the chance

I’ll dance again when you are out of my life

I’ll dance again when you are forgotten

You must dance for me now landlord

Make up the difference next month to me

Flowers, chocolates a naked lady in a cake

I’m half burnt by your pounding workers

Getting their hourly rate

From posts to poem the fire burns on

As fire detectors beep tickled by smoking blades

Gas company left an hour ago feed up with unmarked illegal pipes

Even after my pleading for hot food from the stove.

So I called you up dear landlord because you are my friend and I want you close to me

12% remained to type before the darkness descends

Before my computer craps out and my cigarette is done

I’ll just limp back to bed and dream of your daughters dear land lord

Tomorrow I’ll get her number

Tomorrow we will make babies

Tomorrow you will call me son

Tomorrow you will want the rent