high rise blues

i can't live in a high rise

building.

the doorman

always

in your business.

the elevator

full of surprises,

good and bad.

the smell of cabbage

in the hallway.

the roar

of vacuums all day.

the leaks,

the noise.

babies crying.

the symphony of bed

springs.

new neighbors, old

neighbors.

the ambulance outside

pulling

out the sick and dying,

or dead.

pigeons on the window sills.

a new assessment added

for the balcony repairs.

the manager with her

keys

at your door, yelling

to turn the music down.

people moving in,

moving out,

the vans

at the loading dock.

the freight elevator.

the lady

at the desk telling you

that a guest stopped

by and left

you have a package. 

hadn't seen that one before,

she says.