/

Every night, I bolt the door
and check under the bed for monsters.
I never thought the monster would be
on the other end of the telephone.
She asks me if he loves her,
and I say I do not know,
but I might have a new job offer.
Silence greets me, and I
swallow my tongue.
This conversation is not about me.
She asks why she does not have enough
to cover the rent,
and I tell her that I work as hard as I can.
We both live alone, but she
does not ask me what I meant.
She simply repeats the question.
I tell her,
this is an eviction notice.
I am taking back the key
to my heart,
the dusty welcome mat to my soul
kicked aside--
a "no vacancy" sign lit while
the light in my eyes has gone out.
Tomorrow, I will leave the door unlocked.