Neckwear
Jack Houston 

1.

I wear a collar fitted tight round my neck
that tells anyone that finds me, off out
without permission, where my owner lives.
It's stamped, along its length, with a message
that reads: "This slave belongs to Antonius,
if found, please return him to his house
located at Number XXIII Appian Way."
It's nice to think I'm his property,
for, though he works us all quite hard,
I feel he's always looking out for me.

2.

I loosen the tie from around my neck,
end of the day, time to relax, off out
tonight to a little place near where I live.
Just got to send these last few messages,
one to Derek in accounts and one to Anthony,
my boss, on the ask. We've just bought a house
and thanks to the prices, it's cost way
more than we'd hoped, but that's property
for you. It means working longer and harder,
but still, it will always be there for me.

Jack Houston is co-editor of Nutshell, a small, London-based literary magazine. He has recently had poetry published in Black Lantern (US) and Ink, Sweat and Tears. He works for Hackney Council’s public library service.

Well Versed is edited by Jody Porter.
Connect with Well Versed on Facebook and Twitter.