Five Tanka for My Temporary Homes
by Riel Saylor
I.
my sibling’s pink couch,
fabric gashed by their rabbit.
two borrowed blankets,
two towels. for four weeks, I took
two of five hundred square feet.
II.
Mom’s friend’s empty house,
owners away for Christmas.
we swapped a few gifts
under someone else’s tree
just to preserve tradition.
III.
two-queen hotel room,
half a month’s rent for two nights.
I feigned luxury,
submerging in the green pool
and taking the free tea bags.
IV.
my friend’s childhood room,
twin bed topped with stiff pink sheets.
I slept through dinner
while my laundry rinsed and writhed.
I was gone the next morning.
V.
my uncle’s basement—
mother in the TV room,
me in the bedroom
with one small egress window;
hardly up to fire code.