by Marcel Herms
What are we going to do with Pet?
It sits on the side lot of a bigger house
pale green vinyl siding covers most;
but chewed looking boards act as hem
between cinder block foundation and
lifeless-looking dirt surrounding
converted garage turned slum rental.
The mother comes to the dirty white door
in faded pink waitress uniform, bleached
hair still in a bun from her shift, greets me
with tired smile, and invites me in. She
sharp barks, “Pet! You’re P.O.’s here!
Sit anywhere.” over television’s blare.
A pungent, frayed furniture mill special
couch I’ve seen in a dozen homes,
polyester, brown to hide spilled cereal
and nacho cheese stains is best choice.
Mother scuffles to a “fuck off” signed door,
bass vibrating the new Eminem release.
Mother pushes it open. Pet’s run off.
Again. “Goddamn it! I can’t afford this!”
A black-painted door swings open
to the right. A snarling bruiser, six five,
stomps out. “Send her to her dad’s. Let
him deal with her!”
I tell Mother to call me if she hears anything
(beside overfamiliar, handsy customers,
blaring television, and roid rage boyfriend)
jump in the caged car and head to office
to write a PV and a pickup order.
What are we going to do with Pet?
NOTE: This is a 100% composite and is not about any particular person, persons, location, etc.
Tao Talk 
I stepped into that dismal dwelling with you, Li, the triad of “oh mys!” stark, depressing, and where’s Pet?? Slipping through the cracks of society was never made more vivid. If you were once a P.O, I imagine the experience left its mark on you. Oh my, indeed.
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Dora, thanks much. I was a juvenile P.O. for 18 years. It has.
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This is such an interesting poem, Lisa. This setting and situation are completely outside my experience.
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Thanks, Robbie. I often feel that way when I read your poems and stories and see your photography.
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A raw and direct poem that realistically portrays the difficult and chaotic life of a troubled home. It conveys tension, worry, and a sense of helplessness in the face of out-of-control situations, leaving an intense and moving impression.
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Lincol, thank you for your feedback on the poem and your empathy with the situation.
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I am glad this is a story of your imagination or making – although I suspect it is a reality for too many people as well – Jae
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Jae, each aspect of the story is based on real people and events. Thank you very much for reading and your thoughts.
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Took two reads as I didn’t know what a P.O. was, but on second reading, after figuring it out, I loved your poem. Still don’t know what a PV is, though..Great description of the house.
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Judy, a PV is shorthand for probation violation petition. Thanks much.
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dereliction and menace in every line – very well written Lisa- as reader I felt the relief of leaving at the end, still wondering about poor Pet
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Thanks very much, Laura.
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enjoyed your take this week Li :D I did not participate this week, in poetics, because I found the prompt to be difficult. X
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There’s always another prompt, CA.
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A sad story, Lisa. I know that sort of thing happens here in the UK too, but your poem transported me to another world, especially your description of the house with ‘chewed looking boards’; that ‘act as hem between cinder block foundation and lifeless-looking dirt surrounding’. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a ‘converted garage turned slum rental’, but I have come across people like that.
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Thank you very much, Kim. There’s a lot of all of this about here. The underbelly nobody likes to notice unless they’re forced to or living it.
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I really enjoyed this. You carried me right into the situation and surroundings! Wonderful poetry!
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V, thanks very much.
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Sounds like a Social Workers nightmare, Lisa. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Dwight.
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You are welcome!
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Wow, very descriptive in a gritty way, Lisa. Describes a few situations I’ve seen but blessed to never live in.
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Steve thank you. Gritty describes it well.
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Hard to read but harder to ignore. And yet we do. So many lost souls. (K)
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Yes, K :(
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So raw and visceral Li, you took us right into the chaos of their world. You never know what other people’s lives are like until you venture in. I worked in a similar role and can very much feel this. Great writing.
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