Patrick Toland – Renting the Garret

There is more space than first appears.

Granted, the bed sags
Like a broken spirit
And I’d change the pillow

Sodden as it is with desiccated
Tears. Don’t worry, the former
Occupant had none of those expected
Maladies – no syphilitic

Trances or mocking fatuus,
No lung collapsed like
A sonnet well composed.

And those papers strewn around?
Make them fuel. I hope they warm
You. I’ll keep one copy of the key

In case the lock confounds.