that I didn't know
who was knocking

all those years ago

it was such a squalid place
that room

more a cage
with a hamster wheel

and I thought your knock
was some wretched kids

about their work with
idle hands

and devilish pranks

but now in these later years
when I have seen

what has come to pass
I realize

it was you who came to call
with a message

a warning


Whit Howland © 2020