condo angst

your new neighbor,
Vincent,
introduces
himself
in a formal
and quiet way.
he bows politely
and says,
it's a pleasure
to meet you,
putting his
paint stained hand
how to shake.
he has a bandage
wrapped
around a bloodied
ear, and is
carrying
a satchel of
brushes and palettes
of paint.
you see him making
a square with
his fingers and squinting
at the trees
and hills beyond
the dumpster
and playground.
he moves his
easel in later
from his horse
and carriage
that he's double
parked in
the lot.
already someone
is beeping
because he's blocked
their spot.
you're going to
need to put your
parking pass
on that carriage you
tell him,
and I'm not sure
about the horse.
the condo board
is pretty strict
around here about
animals being off
their leash.
by the end of the day.
you see that
he's wrapped another
bandage around
the other ear,
it too is bloody.