A mile to go

With smog

Hovering among

Crevices

Of a sleepy city  

The sun rose

From slumber

Heedful of rain

On the way.  

Soon,

As increasing showers

Diffused puddles

On shiny streets  

Birds in flocks

Flew.  

Car windshields

Clattered.  

And a lonely reveler

From the night before,

Braving every soggy step,

Could only contemplate

The last call,

The last beer,

And the girl who left

With someone else.  

Having no umbrella

And a mile to go,  

The sky

Employing harsh wisdom

Reflected his pain.

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

I read the umbrella as the thick skin we need to protect from rejection. Without it we get soaked! Here in Seattle we use bumbershoots. They shoot the bummers that fall from the skies of life.

[Relic]

Ha, well said, Bill. Thanks for the comment. :)

[Susan 🦋]

I think most of us have walked that mile at times ...
How perfectly you took us there! Gloom and soggy afterthoughts to contemplate. That guy needs a hug :-)

[Relic]

haha, that guy was me one night. :) Thanks, Susan.

[KAREN]

Great imagery, very descriptive work! Filled with emotion. Nice job!

[Relic]

Thank you, Karen. :)

[KAREN]

You're so welcome!

[Coyote Poetry]

Those lonely late night walks. The mind does wander. I liked the honest thoughts and the strong description. I could see and feel the journey. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Relic]

Thank you so much for your comment, Coyote. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Richard🖌]

Brilliant, Tim 🥂

With vividly creative imagery and emotional timbre rivaling the Free Verse artistry of Rod McKuen, you've literally outdone yourself, My Very Astute Friend.
Hell, the artwork choice, in itself, is a poem recital sans words, and it befits your gripping, life-breathing dialogue to a tee.
Many too-close memories for me … but ohhh, how real you've made it feel!

A lowww bowing sweep o' m'hat! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Relic]

Now I know it's good. haha Thank you my friend for your comment. I appreciate of your visit.

[Richard🖌]

Aw, big deal!

[Relic]

haha 😁😀😊

[M. J. Smith]

I've been that reveler. Stayed too long at the party. A true snapshot of the morning after and the regrets the linger long after the sunrise.

[Relic]

I appreciate your comment, M.J. Thanks for reading.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Whenever someone reads you and wishes they wrote what you just did, it tends to make an indelible impression. I always thought you to be an exquisite writer. Perhaps the reviews of those here
will echo that!

[Relic]

That's a really nice thing to say, Kelly. Thank you. :)
😁

[Einstein Noodle]

beautiful Relic! i agree with Fran 100% .. each line for me a step in the shoes of your protagonist .. i love that he walks that mile with the contrasting setting and scene .. in the rain .. alone .. closing is killer says i! wish it where something i wrote ;) poignant .. striking and subtle social comment .. love it!
E.

[Relic]

Thanks so much for your kind review, Einstein. It's much appreciated. :)

[Fran Marie]

A well crafted piece
filled with descriptive
imagery. so we'll exp3
..nice work Tim

[Relic]

Thanks very much, Fran.

[Dave Brown]

I see here the indifference of the cold concrete city and the hopeless possibility of doing anything about global warming
Great write and image

[Relic]

Thanks for your comment, Dave.