Oh, Is That Your Storage Container?

Today…well, let me say that the word today is always a subjective word to use but for what it’s worth, I’ll keep it simple and without too much flagrancy to my words to descriptive tones. In my old age, I’ve learned that disclaimers come in handy especially when you are about to say or do something f****ed up.

Did I just type that?

So yes, I broke down. I gave into the demands of the city and with much struggle and gnashing of the teeth, I broke down the layers of my dignity, pride, and yes, my self-worth as a human being. I even had a moment of silence but to no avail. Sammy couldn’t help even though he tried desperately with his wagging tail, chew toys, and the “feed me now dammit!” puppy dog look that only puppy dogs can give.

I paid for a storage unit.

So, before you drop that dish–or that child–understand that my hands were tied and ultimately, and I mean ultimately, I had no choice. There was just too much stuff in between the corners of the condo and despite my internal conflict with making lemonade from those damn lemons, the need to make room in between the tools, Sammy’s toys, and the crazy new life won the battle.

So, after I submitted my fingerprints–yes, fingerprints–and filled out a mortgage-style application, I was led down a long, dark, and mechanical corridor of storage units that had me looking back every few feet wishing I’d keep some bread crumbs from my earlier lunch. Good thing there was a radio playing or else I would have had to start texting my friends to keep the phone handy.

Let’s just say that DC is a long way from Portland.

However, there is an upside to this tragic story: the storage unit, which is quite big for the price,  is of course, free for the first month and only $8 to start. So, I think for a month or so, I’ll have essentially free storage and less clutter in the condo.

I also spent time at IKEA today.

(I’ll maintain a separate post for that experience)

All together, it’s been a successful experience from Portland to DC. People are getting to be more like my friends in Portland, and slowly I am learning that this city has room for a guy like me.

M.C. Davis

Back When

Back When

You know the days
back when
you and I pretended to
know all
the rules to
hop-scotch
and the days
lingered on like those
lighting bugs
on moist nights
where
usually
we’d fall asleep
to the
sounds of traffic
lights flickering
the way
to the next stop?

You know the days
back when we
would jump
around for no reason
and
the dimmiming
street lights
would remind
us of the Jeffersons
or
like the time you broke
two teeth
and within no time,
you made your way
back to my sand pit,
like wisdom leading
wisdom to the
ends of the earth
you and I.

You know the days
back when we
would write
love notes in kid’s
hands and only our
code
was understood,
and the noise of the
world didn’t matter
simply because we
ignored it
just
like the time you
washed your lips
after
I kissed you
but our secret had just
started and
you knew that
more than I did.

It was that moment
that
made us who
we are
and those days
don’t leave us
but carry us forward
unafraid and willing
to be.

M.C. Davis