Apartment J

by Laura Kallio
illustration by Chris Volker

“Welcome to my psychedelic netherworld,” He said,
“where children cry and cynics smile
where laughter’s drug induced
where the blind have vision and free-fallers float
where boys are girls and girls are boys
where heartache is a fashion accessory and art, medication.
“I’m the presiding mad-hatter gypsy freak.
I’ve seen the ending,
forget the beginning
and tomorrow’s so far away.
So take my hand and we’ll dance a waltz
in my week to weak world…
Please wipe your feet at the door.”