In Purgatory

in purgatory 

you awake 

alone each morning 

in the same 

semen-stained underwear

it’s dark but

you have to be at work at 8:30

 

in purgatory

you go downstairs and drink

from a pitcher of coffee 

that that you brewed

two days ago

because 

it’s too much trouble

to bother

 

half the lights in your house 

need new bulbs.

and there’s a faint smell 

of diesel exhaust 

or maybe

a public bathroom

 

in purgatory, 

it is always the end of autumn

just before

the winter freeze sets in

you need new clothes but

are too busy to buy them

your kids have left home

your wife works 

in another city

but on special occasions

you might get some 

of them together

for a dinner 

you overcooked

 

you collapse into bed alone 

but instead of resting

you lie there with your

laptop on your knee

trying to complete work

left over from the day

that is meaningless

and that won’t matter

in a few months anyway

 

in purgatory 

you think about

the energy you 

used to have

the good sex 

and the time

when you could 

run a mile in

six minutes 

 

and in the middle 

of the night

you sometimes 

lie awake 

frozen by the 

realization that

your time there 

is almost up

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Renee]

You have encompassed the smell, and sensation of being there, dangling in between now and then, here and nowhere, nothing and more nothingness... There is a comedic tone here. I can't fathom such a place because I believe that when we pass over this realm, we immediately meet our Maker. The flow and imagery was outstanding.


Renee ♥

[...]

Amazingly effective...an excellent thought-full description of what it's like to be lukewarm and realizing it.

[Shaquana Adams]

from a pitcher of coffee
that that you brewed
two days ago
because
it’s too much trouble
to bother

Although this poem is really sad, there is a glimmer of hope at the end. Good job :)

[roarke]

With purgatory, there is no final-ism.... I think you portray that well here. Purgatory, that skip in the vinyl record the phono-needle OCD's over. Realization without any resolution. The doing everything in the "it is what it is" perspective, yet not getting any respect for it. This is a piece written so well, that if you don't feel it.... then purgatory isn't gonna matter to ya.

[Valentine]

So his time here is almost gone..My husband was just diagnosed with Dementia..to young for it I thought..it happened overnight..I am praying his time is not up..only God knows for sure..I am losing more of him each day..Sad write..Valentine

[Emily B]

detached, meticulous, the stuff of nightmares, and an amazing read

[Robin]

prelude to an anxiety attack

[dukovan]

Yikes, this is scary. But damn effective.
It must be a had to be there thing. Probably relating to the older generations.
The semen stained underwear is so pathetic! Yet every dude could tell you about it. The self improvement of masturbation. Its interesting how you are contrasting this frozen moment, that encourages its own freezing effect by the realization its going to end. Awesome write.

[Seshat Nidaba]

This kind of realism should have seemed sad and pathetic to me, but it made me laugh and feel that's it's okay to be 'normal'.

It made me appreciate being just another human animal out of 7 billion strong.

[Muse]

Purgatory...hmmm, that doesn't sound so bad. Better than hell?? :)
Another brilliant creation. Good luck in the contest!