I AM AT THE FLAT VIEWING

Words by c.m.f (she/her) 

& I am dressed so conservative. 

I am going to appease this stranger 

With my clean hair & big smile. 

I am 

Making positive noises 

About hated things. 

Oh 

Yes, how helpful. 

A mildewed shower curtain. 

Windowsill ant poison. 

Retro stove, rusted rings. 

Ghouls, probably. 

Could I have friends here? 

For coffee, for cheese? Write 

A love letter? Prep 

For a colonoscopy? 

I used to dream big and ridiculous. 

Now 

I just want somewhere affordable 

To down litres of shit-potion 

Cry about work 

& write precisely one poem per annum. 

Yes, then, to Addington. 

To Police sirens, 

To thousands in rent over two years. 

Oui oui, then, to longingly reaching 

For a cat as it runs along our fence, 

To a house where it is allowed. 

Small pleasures gather 

Like spiders. 

At the flat viewing, 

I look at you and nod.