3 Poems by David Rittenhouse
TWO BLOODY LUNGS
I found out I have T.B. today.
My first thought:
“I’m glad I get to miss work.”
I found out my T.B. is latent today.
“Damn, I can’t give it to the world
And I have to go back to work.”
"take this job and shove it" (photo by Flickr user ellyjonez)
* * *
KEEP THE CHANGE, BOSS!
A head-first dive
Out of a third story window
Would be a welcome alternative
To the stench of life
Accumulating in this house
Of the waiting-to-die.
My vision changes
Making skin orange
And hair violet.
None of it seems real.
The squawk of a co-worker’s voice
Is like hot lead sticking to my back.
I want to evaporate the air
So they can’t breathe to speak.
I keep my eyes fixed on the ground,
Hoping everyone will disappear.
Because I feel like a child—
Weak and petty.
I want to be home.
I want to fix the problems
That started before I got here.
I don’t want to slave.
I don’t want to be friendly.
I don’t want to work.
And I don’t want society.
menacing co-worker (photo by Flickr user Kellan)
* * *
THIS OLD HOUSE
This house is a piece of shit.
The roof has brown spots from
Water damage and leaks;
The spiders have gotten on steroids—
They’re as big as my hand,
But pencil thin.
I kill them with my killing shoe—
Twenty guts from twenty bugs.
Roaches look like cigars
And fly too.
Lizards get through
Cracks underneath the skin.
Am the only one that
Sees this shit? Goddamn!
"this old house" (photo by Flickr user bertdennisonphotography)
–
David Rittenhouse is a writer trying to establish himself. A recent college graduate with a degree in Psychology, he never really took his passion for writing seriously until confronted with the options of brown-nosing to continue his schooling or working for a successive line of bosses whom he didn’t like. He began his “professional” writing career writing articles for Examiner.com’s Tampa Bay punk section. He found himself at a loss, due to the lack of creative opportunity, and because he didn’t really enjoy being around people in order to write an article. So he “resigned” and went back to writing stories and poetry.
Comments
By Linda on September 3rd, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Very creative and imaginative. Really uses the words to make you visualize what he is saying.
By Bryan scholtz on September 3rd, 2010 at 4:52 pm
This has so much depth and meaning. I can relate with the having to deal with those shitty bosses. Good Luck in the future Mr.rittenhouse
By Dominic on September 3rd, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Love the poems. I dont think there is a person in the world that cant relate to a shitty boss. Love the eery gloominess feel of The Old House. Keep it up man.
By Carol Marple on September 4th, 2010 at 2:04 am
Very original and authentic. Makes you feel the pain behind the words. You can almost envision yourself in the writer’s shoes. Would like to hear more from this writer.
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