For J.G. on the occasion of his repossession.
A guy I know down at the courts, called Jim,
Took in his grandson, his pregnant daughter,
And her husband—this in a very slim
Apartment. Hard to imagine tauter
Conditions! Hyper active ten year old
Luc bounced off the thin walls (literally!)
While his mum toiled, and anxious step-dad trolled
The WEB pursuing work, some place to be
Provider for that new family. Then
The baby came—talk about your cramped space!
Fate rescued him. But they would have to wend
Their way three thousand miles east. For Jim: grace
Of space, divine quiet—yet stilled by gloom—
Delight, yet rue—that silence like a tomb.
(11/17/07)