Cashing in on Megabucks
The whole street was moving, afraid
property values would drop what
with all the tank and helicopter traffic.
Everything sold to a consortium that planned
to replace our houses with an army camp.
They paid market value which meant
we could afford the pet shrimp.
We had no place to keep them yet
but we did have a soon-to-be ex-neighbor
who agreed to swallow them if we’d
shampoo her rug. She promised
to cough them up as soon as we found
a proper aquarium. No fishbowl for these guys.
They’re not exactly freshwater in case
you’re wondering. It’s what happens
when you relinquish ambition and swallow
pride. It’s what happens when you
grab birds out of thin air, spin webs
without permits, and refine white flight.
***
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