Saving Grace

“Another shot,” I say, slapping another large bill on the counter, “and keep them coming.”

The barkeep frowns at the money, but I catch his eyes and stare him down until he poors me another whiskey. I wouldn’t recommend most people try something like that. The barkeep is always right. I just don’t give a damn anymore. Which he can see in my eyes. I lost the one thing that mattered to the fire. My one saving grace turned to ash.

One swallow and I was ready for another shot. I wouldn’t have bothered comming out in public for drinks, but I already drank what I had in the office. I kept waiting to get enough in me to dull the pain or to poison myself into oblivion. I wasn’t really picky with which.

The night wore on, my money ran out and I was relieved of my keys before being pointed toward a taxi. I didn’t bother with it. I didn’t really have anywhere left to go at this point. Instead I tucked my hat down more firmly and stumbled into the night.

I certainly hadn’t planned to go back to the scene. There wasn’tn anything to see after all. Nothing but ash.

I find myself on the ground suddenly, staring up at the dark sky. Everything turns sort of fuzzy and wrong, bleeding into sparks of white and black. I see a wing and a hand set against the sparks and finally feel that release.

My Abyss

I am always falling down,

no bottom in site.

Just a torn gown,

remnant of our fight,

our fire burning flesh

into memory, ghosts

of a past I daily refresh,

edging towards a lethal dose.

I strive to escape the mesh

of my dreams, so close

with realities sting.

Instead, I thresh

myself, fall morose,

until your praise I sing.

City Paths

Concrete paths bleed

summers heat

into the evening,

into soles

of worn shoes,

old rythms

carrying me

into shadows,

alleyways, corners

of a city

I try to love.

Shaman

A handful of feathers

tied into braids,

a form of memory,

small tribute,

to what was,

to the wind,

and change.

NaPoWriMo Read Write Poem Prompt #30

Think

Forget her

with hope

of normal sleep,

a morning

not alone,

a fragment

of sanity,

a moment

of contact

with humanity.

NaPoWriMo Read Write Poem Prompt #29

Seeing Red

Red traces through reflection

of eyes, sleep fragmented

into another day, red lights

dragging out errands

to collect scarlet fruit,

distracted by her cherry

lips, but dragging myself

through that haze, following

red tail-lights along streets

that hopefully lead back

to dreams of a red skirt,

and rest.

NaPoWriMo Read Write Poem Prompt #28

The Fool

Lunacy, extravagant folly,

an impossible cadence

of leaking reality,

ignoring odds, convention,

rules and rhyme,

because sometimes

that is all it takes

to create.

NaPoWriMo Read Write Poem Prompt #27

Tao

Rumble of life echoing through sleepless night,

nature begging for continuation, linking

small to big, even amidst city lights,

creeping plants, creatures, making

corners there own, adding pieces

to an existence shared.

NaPoWriMo Read Write Poem Prompt #26

How To

Take boy, add girl.

Next, slowly

mix in time,

tension, romance,

moments alone.

Simmer carefully,

with mistakes,

forgiveness,

and luck.

You may

have something.

NaPoWriMo Read Write Poem Prompt #25

Midha

Whisper of sound

between ticks

announces a nap

concluded, she

stalks the halls

then thunders

past, chasing

scraps, shadows,

sounds, sometimes

a battle cry,

others swift,

silent death,

before settling

on my chest,

demanding tribute

in pets.

NaPoWriMo Read Write Poem Prompt #24