THREE-LEGGED BED

From the city bus, I saw for a moment

the street where once I lived.

There in that damp room, left behind,

newspapers, boxes, three-legged bed.

I didn’t go back to my much-loved misery,

abandoned her forever.

I broke the pledge of poverty,

grew vain, when to my surprise,

my troubles grew.

Old bills caught up with me.

I alone mocked myself the best,

hoisting myself higher

with the help of sticks and canes.