James Croal Jackson
After you left
I cleaned your desk.
There was a butcher’s knife
inside the top drawer
you said–
when I asked–
was always there.
When it rained
at the studio,
it flooded
inside.
And any
gust of
wind
could
set the fire
alarms
screeching.
We would cover
our ears alongside
rats and roaches.
In June
there was a mouse
stuck to
a glue trap
I set
and I should
have shown
mercy. So,
I had to ask.