The Lodger Returned

• The Lodger Returned

The Lodger Returned

I had hoped that the dusk tide would tow me to sea
Far forever from the touch of another human
Another human hand

The cab driver suggested a perfect nook
A perfect nook of the bay
And he wished me a pleasant swim
Breath of tobacco
Breath of mint
Beads swaying from the rear-view mirror

Every story in the town about me
Yes
All of them are true
All of them are true

I drew a century of salt into my lungs
I kept my shoes on
I kept my belt on
My bag and my jacket billowed against it
For a time, for a time, down down
I had hoped to be a pin, to pass through
A brief and graceful shimmer
As though the ocean were simply
Air of a different colour

Every story in the town about me
Every story in the town about me
Yes
All of them are true
All of them are true

Now, latex gloves scour me
Scour me for clues
Heart, liver, brain
Divisible by scalpel
Closed circuit TV in the street and microscope divining my finals
No evidence of foul play
So say so say the suits on the news
The suits and ties on the news

Every story in the town about me
Yes
All of them are true
All of them are true

© Brendan Bonsack
December 2021

1. The Lodger Returned
2. Someday Maybe Someday
3. Best Laid Scheme
4. Speaking with the Fishes
5. The Party Next Door
6. Crash in Yellow

The Lodger
Released December 2021