In the apartment across the way

the one above the laundry room

chaos tumbles

in chalk scribbles

in toys strewn

in childish bursts of joyful shrieking

in galloping footfalls

in resounding curses from adults

 

In the apartment across the way

the one above the laundry room

Christmas lights have stayed up for months

in the children’s bedroom

their bunkbed pushed longways against the picture window

an alarming outline silhouetted

against colorful lights

 

In the apartment across the way

the one above the laundry room

the children’s uncle died in his sleep

from a troubled spot on his lung

 

The apartment across the way

settled down for two weeks

They went to the mainland

on vacation we were told

 

Then the children’s father returned

to the apartment across the way

He was found still warm on the couch

the paramedics had no miracle

and he grew cold

 

The mother and children have yet to return

to he apartment across the way

although it’s been said they will

and above the laundry room

the picture window has remained unvisited

by lights of any color