Poem of the Week

— there was cause for alarm — I can help — at thirty —
the next person — thirty-five — in line — and forty —
over here — I ran out of my body — I can help —
and watched fire trucks — the next person — scream and spit —
in line — over my faulty wiring — over this way —
and when finally boarded up — I can help — condemned —
the next person — spray-painted in the night by teenagers
in sagging jeans — standing in line — I thought maybe
that we could actually like totally you know — this way —
basically — I can help — there was nothing I could say —
the next person — there was nothing — in line — I could say —
over here — there was cause for alarm — I can help — the building
dreams of the marks of children ascending up the doorframe
year after year — the next person in line — Dylan age three
and four and five — over here — but — no one and ever — I can help —
copy — the next person — no one and ever — I can help —
what? — over here — I can — no one and ever — help — right —
I can — no one and ever — help