I once lived among them
Blinking bleary at the gaping open door as the
Light rushed in and reminded us it was
Day
What nerve they had to remind us
Outside children played and
Hope found happy homes
Here there was
Half melted ice swirling scotch whiskey
You had to drink it before it got too
Watered down
That was the only way
Cigarette burning next to the pint of frothy ale
Forgotten half-conversation
Wondering
My neighbor lolled his head to look
Having heard a phantom name
From a forgotten past in which he
Lived
Who?
He muttered to no one at least I
Hoped it was no one as I didn’t want to
Answer
Another please
I told the bar-maid
Always ready with a smile
Concealing contempt (I suspected)
By the third one it went down easier
And I hardly noticed the sun
wow