My Friend Below

I met my friend from below on the stairs

- the fourth or fifth vertebra below the neck

(not sure, for it was dark and my ears rang).

I invited him to visit me in my rooms

where I have records and - a picture-album.

But he said, "You're too proud!" and he vanished.

I called, I pounded, he would not reappear.

Damn it! it's he who's proud, I can't humiliate

myself more than I have - altho I'm lonely.

I turned. He whispered: "You must come down here."

I was afraid . .. Ach! one of us must gol

This house isn't big enough for both.

But he's the older tenant - what lie must I

tell the landlady, seems to favor him?