He learned to drink alone
after the tavern closed.
The jukebox played sad songs for no one.
Bottles and glasses clinked
like the thoughts in his head.
Her red dress hung in the closet
like a criminal at the gallows.
The moment his heart broke,
it smelled like lilacs and
tasted like a sunset.
After that, dawn turned gray.
Madness sat on his shoulder.
The room stayed the same.
He didn’t.
Morning found him silent,
finally done with it all.