The parents had a trust. From out of state
they bought the little condo for their son.
Expecting it would still appreciate,
they purchased without inquiry, so none
of us had any chance to let them know
about the next door neighbor’s toxic soul.
Harassed, the son kept calling cops, although
their hands were tied and they had no control.

“You should have talked to neighbors,” they advised,
“before you moved.” Too late the son agreed.
I understood. I know if I were wise,
I would have looked beyond romance and need
and heard what other men said of my spouse,
before I let him move into the house.