let's see how long this lasts

the steps

were full of pots pans, books,

magazines

and 

canned fruits and vegetables.

shoes

were everywhere,

scraps

of paper,

boxes of ink pens,

string

and paper clips, hair

bands.

clothes from another

century

hung on racks in the basement.

photo albums

that belonged to the previous

owner

were on the shelf.

her mattress

was on the floor

next to

a futon from college,

an ancient television

and turn table

that no longer worked.

morning sunlight poured

through

the curtainless windows.

a crack

like a lightning bolt ran

up the middle of the glass.

it was clutter chaos,

that smelled like fear and despair,

but she was

pretty

and had amazing blue

eyes,

and a great kisser to boot.

let's give

this a shot, i thought,

at least

for a little while.