I Passed Today the Detritus of Desperation

I passed today the detritus of desperation
set in disarray on the lawn down the road
A cat-scratched couch without cushions
served as the seat of its castoff owners
who rested lifelessly
man and woman
hand in hand
silent and staring
at the back of an old tv

There was a table
its Formica surface chipped and grimy
three mismatched chairs
and a shadeless lamp lying prone on a rolled-up rug

Sundries indescribable were heaped on boxes
Here lay pots and pans and coffee mugs
There lay dishes and silverware
a crock pot and corn popper
and a roll of paper towels half unraveled

Curious and caring I approached
Evicted?
I asked

Fuck off dickface
said the man
never moving

I paused
Why?
I wondered
Why?
to myself

Then after a moment
the woman turned to me
debased, rapt and sad-eyed
and told me all I wished to know
in a glance

Sorry
I said

And I turned and jogged to the Metro
I had already missed the seven oh two
and I had clients waiting
eager to cash in on the next best thing