Claire Lloyd
please knock before you enter
and take off your shoes at the door
i insist.
make yourself comfortable
let me offer you a cup of tea
we can steep together
throw me away
when my bitterness infuses you
i am your secondhand loveseat
and the leak in your ceiling
repairs are slow these days
but we can make do
but please,
please.
knock first
i do not await visitors
my job is not to teach you
how to be a house guest
if you wish to be welcome
in my home
please wait
for me to say yes.