poem of the day 01.15.13

cops outside the apartment again

the cops are outside the apartment again

i know it’s the cops without even looking

i can hear their little radios

hear their dull voices as they question

the same loud bitch they always come here to question

having the cops come around here is boring

it’s always for the same shit

some domestic dispute on the third floor

involving a child and two immature parents

the loud bitch always gets involved and calls the cops

i think she’s the grandmother

regardless she’s always the one outside

giving the boys in blue her rote soliloquy

while those of us on the first floor are held captive

by her grating tone

by the child running free and screaming in the lobby

i wish the cops would come around here

for something else

drug crimes or dog murder

but then i’d probably have to move

because i don’t feel like living around that shit again

when you reach a certain age you search for comfort

but this is so dull and played out

it’s not even worth looking out the window

but i do anyway

hoping maybe for something else

like the father becoming irate

storming out of the building and lashing out at everyone

having to be subdued with handcuffs  or a taser

while the mother screams and cries

grandma implores the cops for mercy

and the child stands there holding her doll

traumatized

but it’s just the same act

like it is most sundays

the two cops nodding and writing shit down

the loud grandmother waving her arms

and pointing toward the third floor

the child yelling in the lobby or running around outside

because cops are second nature to her

while the mother chain smokes

and the father is nowhere in sight

it’s like watching a rerun

when the cops are outside the apartment

hopefully next time they come it’ll be for something

a tad bit more scintillating

a crime of passion

armed robbery

the crazy bitch across the street

kicking in her door again

or one of the old people found dead in the basement

but i’m sure it’ll be for this circus

and i’m sure i’ll take time out of my busy schedule

to give the action a good look

unless it’s football season

then i’ll just shut the window and turn up the volume

on the television

crack a beer or open some wine

wait for them all to go the hell away.