A Lone Bar

The neon shines in distorted agony

As I exhaustedly enter a lone bar,

Right by the dusty road of vanity,

Over the state lines – but not too far.

They smell my boiling blood,

I know it a bit too well.

My car’s covered in rusty mud –

And if that’s not a telltale…

The whiskey neat I ordered

Tastes just like yesterday’s regret.

I’m a scumbag, I’m a hoarder

Of the terrors they’ll never forget.

They won’t let go of it either –

No matter what excuses I bring to the table.

The blades they carry have one desire –

To slay me like Cain slayed Able.

The dirt on my snow white fingers

Screams that I’m no angel.

The sins choke and they linger,

But don’t be scared, handsome stranger.

Are you the one to take me away,

Are you the one to follow?

In some places I might be the prey,

Here I might be your gallows.

***

I sneak out as the sunrise comes knocking

Like a gunshot in the distance.

I throw away my ripped stockings

And get back on the road to seek assistance.

-JW