Virginia Lake - Two Poems

IN THE OLD PEOPLE’S BUILDING 

In the old people’s building 
Some men die alone 

After the odor penetrates the hall 
After the body is discovered 
The coroner comes 
The body is removed 

The maintenance staff 
Gathers together the 
Deceased’s belongings 
The belongings are 
Put in a huge trash container 

Late that night the homeless 
Clamor into the dumpster 
To sort out what is left.

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HEARTTHROB 

Dragonfly the big hunk 
Reeking of cigarettes 
Stands by the elevator 
He saw me in the laundry room
I am repotting parsley 
Hoping it will grow in the windowsill
Dragonfly bellows in his deep 
Reverberating bass 
F-this and F-that 
The elevators are always 
On the wrong floor when he wants them
People in the elevator piss him off too I
know he is carrying on to win my heart
But I am implacable