Shrunken crumpled
on a sidewalk outside
of the dirtiest bar in town.
That's where I was left.
Cheeks stained with mascara
color faded red rimmed orbs
Exposed like the rotting siding
peeking out from layers of
peeling paint.
For decades people have been
discarded, thrown out to the hard pavement.
Pain is deeply rooted
in the structure of the old building.
The mirror behind the bar mocks
it's patrons in self hatred
Its rogue charm could be added
up to some broken chairs, split floors, fights, tears and
beer served in plastic cups.
A jealous lover shot up the place once.
and the songs, though good,
lost their luster after their rotation
pattern became apparent.
The empty person
that's still around at last call,
has the sound of crashing bottles
clanging in their ears
long after they return to where
they were from.
*photo credit: news & record
