It's bitterly cold,
And my breath trails behind me
Like an industrial smokestack.
I take a greedy gulp,
And warmth penetrates my chest
Like new love's first kiss.
Happy Ballantine's Day.

Houses dot the hill like chicken-pox,
Where cedars once stood
Tall and proud.
Don’t scratch!
You will only make it worse.
Soon enough they will go away.

A ****** bandage
For wounds unseen.
Brief relief, or a
Bottled conversation.
Creativity, Bravery, Violence.
One grape.
Welches today, but given time,
Enlightenment.

The old man was beat
He shut his eyes to get sleep
And never woke up

They asked me to
solve for x.
x should solve
for himself.
That's the American way.

Body contorts.
Eyes red.
Mouth twisted.
The unseen demon
Makes his brave escape.
I remember my first drink.