I sigh and close the door
Lean on it and close my eyes for a bit
I should have left this place years ago
But I've never had the heart

Everything is still the same
After all these years
Maybe this is what's wrong
What's got me closed in a loop

The picture is still on the mantelpiece
The man, the woman and the dog
There are days I don't even recognize the man
He looks bright and full of energy
He looks alive
Even has a smile on his face
Sometimes,
I have a hard time remembering being him

Next to it there's a dried rose
She loved roses, right?
My brain is screaming at me to stop
To stop thinking about the picture
About the woman and the dog
Or the rose next to it
I stretch out my hand and almost touch it
But I'm afraid it might crumble at my touch

The man, the woman, and the dog
The old rose and the scented candle
Next to the old chew-toy
Dust covered, all of them
Just how long has it been?

There are nights Jack Daniel's stays close to hand
And the tears can't stop flowing
Tonight, I'm afraid
Is one of those nights
A. SWANTALALA