tall buildings

walking down streets that could put my mum in hospital
i live in buildings that are close like brothers
the dogs are screaming
springs poke into my spine
from hand me down me down me down mattresses

i need more hope
and reasons
julius caesar knives
arrive in the mail
no matter
where i live
cowards kill themselves
right
i’m as distant as lights in tall buildings

Jordan Irvine (they/them) is an Ōtepoti born and Ōtautahi based poet. They have been featured in The Spinoff and bad apple.