NOTE FROM THE
PREVIOUS TENANT


The previous tenant
Has willed this house to You.

He has tried to clean 
Its rooms and windows,
The best that he could do.

When You move in,
He prays it may be 
Worthy of You.

The previous tenant
Wanted only You to live here.
He wanted to leave
With no forwarding address.

He would often smile contentedly
As he scrubbed the place down,
Picturing You pleased
To be in residence. 

He had a lease
And was bound 
To live out its terms,
But he could not help 
Wondering if You 
Might move in early.

The previous tenant
Was hoping to 
Disappear altogether.

Perhaps, he thought,
If that proved impossible,
You might let him stay on 
As some kind of servant.