Joanna Gilman Hyde

"Good Morning, World!"
November 10, 2012

THE FIRST ROOM MATE

The Tomato-coloured Couch 7:22pm

The First Room Mate I had in New York City

was a dark-headed guy with something off

in one eye

I answered His Ad in The Village Voice

“share 2bdrm apt. Lower E Side

$230 per mo

call anytime”

I called at six o’clock in the morning

He said I was the first person

to call

I arrived at nine — the appointed time

in My Interview Dress —

navy sheath with cream-trimmed pockets

& V-neck —

His name was Bennett Ram

His phone was ringing off The Hook

He didn’t seem to have anyone else lined up

He kept unplugging & re-plugging His Phone

I sat on His Couch

& met His Chaotic Friends —

one of whom pointed out a maggotty pot of beans & rice

on top of the refrigerator

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November 10, 2012

PROSPECTIVE BUYER

The Hawk West Desk Window 8:00am

It’s Time I Said Good-Bye

to My Mother

right from where I stand Today

I will not be going out to The Island

with The Alternative Energy Tech —

My Daughter will go in My Stead —

I can rely on Eliza

as My Mother relied on Me —

I will not be going down memory lane

to The Thoreau House in the woods

built by My Mother’s Perfect Son-in-law

I will not be going There —

I will not be sweeping up dead flies

in My Mother’s Island House —

I swept the flies there alone once

when I was 18 — Eliza’s age —

to open The Place for My Mother’s arrival —

Today Eliza will be readying for a prospective buyer

& I will not be walking down to The Lower Orchard

to visit My Mother’s Limestone Squirrel

perched on Her Granite Marker —

Today I Stand in Eliza’s Corner Room upstairs

Here At The Hawk

& gaze upon The Panorama of Sun’s Rays

filtering down on My Atlantic Home

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