build it and bring it

i've done

my time, hard time with

Ikea.

putting together

shelves

and desks,

counter tops

and tables.

chairs even.

i've sweated out the minimalistic

directions

with everything spread

out onto the floor

at midnight,

removing the shade

from the floor

lamp

to see what the hell i was

doing.

i've cursed.

i've thrown things,

i've taken a hammer

to screws

and dials,

the edges of fake wood.

i've stepped on plastic

and metal

casters, lost tiny nails.

i've tightened

things so tight the screws

have come

through the other side

of the boards.

i've flipped things over, taken

it all apart

and started over.

i've done my time with Ikea,

but never again,

no more.