The Couple Across The Hall

By Hector Lopez Jaime

the ones in apartment 101

oh how they scream

by they i mean the guy

echoing all over the

damn building, at all

hours of the day

he calls her a whore

he insults her friends

he screams at her on

the verge of heavy tears

I DON’T EVEN LIKE FUCKING YOU ANYMORE

all while their daughter

tries to play or sleep

through the newest

quarrel her parents

put on for her now

one time the cops showed up

three big ones that tried to

drag him out of the apartment

with her shouting at them

to go away & let them be while

he did his best to comply

in a way that didn’t get him killed

there were a couple weeks where

she had him leave & the peace

was worse, i knew he’d be back

which he did til she had him

out again in less than a month

he’s back now maybe for good

to their credit, i can’t remember the

last time i had a broadcast from 101

By Hector Lopez Jaime