the vacancy
didn’t need a sign
it was obvious no one was home
there were no lights on
anyone living there now absent
bricks with a toothless grin
decorated the facade
while an old stump stood in the front
favorite of every dog
no upper story
the gate unhinged
a colorful exterior multiple shades of paint
the foundation crumbling
the structure out of plumb not level
blinds over dirty windows
dark inside letting only a little light in
simple and unfurnished
nothing black and white
only dull layers of gray
inside was disorganized disturbed
full of junk and trash scattered about
fast food fragments fried food and pizza
two beers left in a six pack
rolling stone people vogue and sports illustrated
seventeen time and the national inquirer
the ingredients of the dish this occupant dined on
a picture hung lame and off center
a herd of cattle following one after the other
with a caption in green and yellow
all you need is love and the pack
an old bird cage stood in a corner
now home to a thriving hive
while a can of beans sat on butcher block
with scattered change
ten cents short of a dollar
there was the smell of mold decay and overflowing waste
sheet hitting the fan something dead
power box open with a blown fuse
next to a discarded bag of rocks
and a poker deck shy a few hearts
in the back an open book
its contents falling out
with a picture of a train
and a note tucked inside from mother
you do know your brother was an only child
outside there were multiple distractions
bright lights and city sights
the internet and the interstate
livin large always fast trackin
but no one safeguarded the entrance
and the key to the front door was lost
usually closed
and rarely open
its hard to find a decent rental
or house you can afford these days
but don’t be fooled by the above description
this place of residence i speak of has no street address
but is vacant nonetheless
for it is a metaphor of your mind
your prison dwelling place and shrine
there is no greater loss in life than over time to surrender your mind to the base elements that this world so subtlety defines