• You left your smiles
    by the ironing board;
    your unrequited love
    in the medicine cabinet;
    your charms by the car keys
    which had fallen on the floor.

    Your hopes sank ‘neath
    the dishes and cups.
    Under the ragtime sink
    your anger leaked into
    dangerous chemicals you
    don’t remember buying.

    It was all bound to explode
    under your very own bed,
    where evil things thrive
    some said, decades ago.
    But alas they were wrong,
    dying on principle.

    The water seems colder, now,
    as it runs down your eyes.
    One of five gates to
    your unbridled misery.
    And you open your eyes.

    Don’t think it will be
    the last time.