The Mansion

John Vanderslice

At dawn I walked across my front lawn
Humming some bloodying nordic rowing song
It was raked and cut and comforting
To comfort I said so long
I stole my girl from her backyard

We jumped on a train
Anacostia, va
To greyhound across the united states

We set off in hope of changing our lives
But settled instead on holiday inn, riverside

I woke up in the morning all alone
I walked down to the lobby
And found her on the phone
"David," she said, "I miss you I'm coming home"
I pulled her by the arm
She grabbed me by the throat

I went to the room and threw all her things
Off the 17th floor balcony and set out

We set off in hope of changing our lives
But settled instead on holiday inn, riverside