“On Being a Landlord” by Johanna Evenson

The five sand dollars I found
I used for a down-payment
on a piece of ocean
where sea-horses
and minnows mingle.

Visiting my square foot of ocean today
I found that the blanket of water
had been pulled away
to reveal the temporary housing of a crab
who, sideways, set out to attack his new landlord.

Johanna Evenson a professional musician as well as a professional cognitive therapist living and working in Charleston, SC where she has had the privilege of being tutored by poet Richard Garcia. Her work has appeared in several magazines, most recently in Zocalo Public Square and Door is a Jar and is forthcoming in Lighten Up.