the apartment

the first apartment
you lived in
was on the bottom floor,
garden style, with a wide
glass sliding
door, and all
the amenities a
modern man could
want. the stove
and fridge were
olive green.
the stacked washer
and dryer
in the kitchen
a harvest gold.
the trash
room was not far,
a mere three steps
in the hall.
the rent was two
hundred and thirty
five dollars
a month, including
utilities.
the walls were thin,
and you had to
place broom sticks
in the windows
so that the burglars
and thieves
could not break
in, but it was a good
place to start
with your plaid
couch and dried flowers.
your stereo playing
margaritaville,
the galleon ships
sailing on the yellow
painting above
it all.