Mom Says Buy

Mom says, "Why don't you buy a house?"

I nearly spit my dinner out

She bought her first one long ago

For thirty bucks and homemade bread She says,

"Just save and stop going out"

I haven't left the house in months

She says, "Your cousin bought one young"

My cousin sells mysterious software

Mom says buy a house

Like they sell them from a vending machine

Put your quarters in the slot

Choose a color, grab the key

Mom says buy a house

I said, "Mom, I can barely buy a blouse" The bank looked

at my income twice Then changed the locks and killed the lights

I opened up a property app

A shed was listed for a million cash

The description called it "full of charm"

The charm was mold shaped like an angel

I toured a home beside the tracks

The foundation leaned forty degrees back The agent said,

"It has good bones"

I think the bones were human bones

Mom, I know you want me safe A place where life can

settle down

But the map you used to reach adulthood Doesn't match this version

of the town

Mom says buy a house

Maybe someday I'll figure it out

Until then, I'll build a home

Inside the people who stick around

She sent me another listing.