"Apartment 3"

by Joseph McCombs

I walked past Apartment 3
A man stopped me,
Said "Have you ever been to Thailand?"

He said, "I can tell that you
Would be happier, too,
In the sun of a Far East island."

          "You know, I make movies and give tours --
          I always did love the island's beach shores --
          You know, all of this can be yours..."

This man invited me in,
And said with a grin,
"The women there sure are inviting."

"The language barrier's there,
But what do you care
When the city's so exciting?"

          "You can drink and gamble all night --
          The geishas will make you feel all right --
          And in the morning you can even see cock fights..."

I skipped the movies he'd made --
I was afraid
I'd see more than I intended.

I told him I had to go:
Perhaps he could show
His wares to someone less offended.

          "But what about the prostitutes' smiles?
          Don't you even want to think a while?
          I could even get you a nice boy child..."

I walked past Apartment 3
A boy saw me
And made sure not to make eye contact;

He disappeared into Apartment 3
And I'm sure that he
Is under some illegal contract...


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