Justifiable Lobotomy

Justifiable Lobotomy

“Closing the top room is no disaster;
The floor was no good anyway;
The guests didn’t enjoy the climb;
The books were so tattered,
Left by students long ago.

“These drawn drapes will, from the outside,
Their heavy brocade hanging straight and firm,
Give the house more dignity, more stability,
If not more life, don’t you think?

“Of course, I know we live below.
Leave the papers and desk for now.
He was always so disheveled here.
Too many notes to himself, too much to draw together.
I think he’ll finally die from confusion, not his heart.

“There, the whole floor’s locked.
You have the birth certificate and tax returns?
Cleaning here won’t be a burden now.
There just isn’t time to do it all,
What with his keeping the lower rooms, making their living and ours.”