Space at a premium
in our apartment
lettered and numbered b44
at Highland Manor,
cuz the spouse
heavily trends toward disorderliness.

She readily admits her predilection
to disavow being a neatnik,
yet owns the capacity
getting down to brass tacks
to tidy up whenever the warden
who rivals the military police
announces requisite inspection.

We dread unwelcome visits
courtesy management triumvirate
whereby anticipatory anxiety
put on high alert,
especially when management
gives less than a week