On the TV stand in front of me
sits a sculpture of a skull.
No matter where I sit
the skull stares at me.
It haunts me,
and reminds me
of my fragile mortality.
Still, I won't turn the skull away.
We're locked in a test of wills,
even though I know
in the end
I won't win.

Sometimes on late Monday nights
I'll climb out of bed,
get dressed,
and walk outside
into the middle of the street.
The lack of cars and people
brings peace.
It's just me,
accompanied by the steady hums
of building ventilation systems.
I often think about old friends
long gone.

On the city bridge sidewalk
one summer night,
I contemplated
the second half of my life
among the lights
reflected upon the river.

I came to the realization
that no one will remember me.
My readers will soon forget,
as will my family.
That's why I need you,
to remember why I smile
and how I think.

Perhaps a young man with ambition
will inquire about me one day.
If that happens, pour him a drink.
Tell him I loved the sentiment
only the written word can deliver,
but I never loved words as much
as I loved you.

The ignorant always smile, not in bliss, but in narrow self-righteousness. Geniuses are kind within bubbles that float to the tops of white towers. The societal mid-range of people, the ones who know just enough to be afraid, these people carry the greatest burdens.

I loved you
every single day
especially those nights
you ******
other men
You’re better than me
but you kept coming
back for more

You should know,
I love the way
you mourn
the end of laughter
in the silence of night.
When the laughs return
you rejoice.
I always smile.

‪I don't just love you;‬
I love your imperfections,
those hard memories
beneath kind eyes,
when I watch you
gaze out my window
every morning