Not Living

Death

“Look!” He said, “You got spider traps all along this wall, it's fascinating.”
He was outside my door, peering at the stucco wall
I said, “Come on in!”
He said, “No wait,” and he got a twig and found some ants and he said, “Bukowski, I’m gonna make this ant run the gauntlet.”
The phone rang and I answered the phone, and as I was talking and listening he said, “Bukowski! he got away from the first spider, now the second one is out and he's got the ant by the rear legs.”
“Listen Linda,” I said, “I've got a visitor and also my toilet stopped and the shit is coming up through the tub.”
“Bukowski!” he said, “Now the spider is throwing a net over him! He’s weaving around and around! Now he's moving in Bukowski, now he's got him! Death!”
The landlord came in
“It'll take a little while to clear it up.” he said
He was talking about the shit. “Alright,” I said
“Linda,” I said, “shit and death is everywhere.”
“I'll call you back.” she said

“Now I've got a spider,” said my visitor, “and I'm giving him to the ants.”
I walked outside “For chrissake kid, will you stop playing this spider ant game? Let's go for a ride.”
The landlord gets very nervous when he plays with the plumbing
“Look!” he said, “The ants are chopping the spiders legs off, one by one!”
“Good strategy,” I said, “let’s go.”
We drove down to Norm’s and had breakfast
my friend commented continually on humanity
He didn't think they were much- I didn’t argue
My friend was a great admirer of Ernest Hemingway
I drove him to Hollywood and Normandy and let him out
When I got back the shit was still in the tub
I didn't wanna take a bath anyway