write poems on beer mats in the pub
they’re not particularly good
but it passes an afternoon

I find myself missing you
and all the things we used to do
your goofy smile
and every mile
I still think about that hot breezy day
I think about it a lot, now that you're away
you never answered my letter
I know you can do better
but I still find myself missing you
in everything that I do

At lunch I bought a pear,
its shape: a quiet joke.
I cut it clean and slowly,
the blade, the slice, the poke.

It tasted like a breather,
not sweet, just real and right.
Like silence in the stairwell
or breezes late at night.

The afternoon unknotted,
each task a gentler climb.
I fed the cat. I folded shirts.
You’re not here. I’m fine.

could tell you were disappointed,
but then,
you tell it so much better   ..

My loving tri colored beagle
Of the last seventeen years
My rambunctious little darling
Who has lapped up all my tears

You've been a great companion
An enormous part of my life
You've seen me through triumphs
You've been there through strife

My mischievous sweetheart
Who un"squeaked" every toy
My little treat monger
That's brought me such joy

Your brown fur now gray
Your pace now so slow
A gift so precious
A love you bestow

You have touched my heart
Like it's been your mission
Faithful love
Without condition

I fear the day you'll not be here
I'll certainly fall apart
But I promise to always hold you
Deep inside my heart

She lit up her ***,
Flicked off the ash,
And picked up her glass

The day started
Cloudy,
Raindrops like
Bullets shattered
against the window.

Just a woman in her room,
Bracing for the day ahead-
With plans she didn’t want to attend.

The kettle screaming
For her to get up.

She slipped on her slippers,
Wrapped in her dressing gown,
Shielded against the cold
Gripped the Handle,
Still warm from the past,
And headed downstairs-

Panicked
When the toaster jumped.

The morning ended,
The afternoon wisped away.

Her friends expecting her
For their weekly catch-up.

She chucked on her jeans-
The ones she always wore,
Ripped on the knee,
And a sparkly top
That Shone
brighter than her.

The pub loud-
Louder than usual.
Her friends
laughing,
Joking-
But she’s not interested.

Feeling alone
Ever Since
the past left.

A man.
Tall.
Handsome.
But cruel .

constantly  told
She needed someone new
By the people
she sat next to
Every week

She rose from her seat
headed outside
forgot her lighter-
As she always did.

Her friends didn’t  smoke.
With no one to ask,

A man,
Who Looked
like a dream,
Stepped out the door-
something
Like
a movie scene.

As he pulled out his ***,
She almost compelled,
marched over
To ask for a light.

She lit up her ***,
Flicked of the ash,
Picked up her glass.

Conversations started
Numbers shared
Sparks began