Done

A bore is someone who takes away my solitude and doesn't give me companionship in return. - Thoreau

Inconsolable swig from a crumpled brown bag.

A cheap Double Diamond cigar sweats the smoke of another lonely drag.

Coughing so hard that you see fireflies.

Tasting the nicotine of armageddon's lies.

Fragile ground eroding beneath your very feet.

An uninvited pergatory meet-and-greet.

You gave but you didn't get.

Life's cruel, unreciprocated debt.

The leather boots of despair's legion march toward you in unison like Satan's stormtroopers.

Payback from fascist destiny.

Homelessness' harsh holocaust.

Retribution in totalitarian tremors.

Desperation clings to the edge in a desolate fervor.

Yet another useless life preserver.

Helicopter halos and mesh wings.

These are your only things.

You came in alone, you're going out the same way.

Our only difference being which day.

No one's going to call.

No, not at all.

Not a damned one.

There are no cell phone towers in Hell.

No emergency 9-1-1.

You're just ...

... done ...

Author's Note

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things..” - Thoreau

Reviews

[R.J Calzonetti (Siniste..]

I hope you realize you're never over, there is always a new door to open. Your poetry is proof of that. I quite enjoyed the darker themes. There is a rhythm to your work, the way the words slide like butter on a hot morning is mixed with the harshness behind them. Hits like hard liquor. As always, I am impressed. I will always come back for more poems from you, thank you for sharing with us!

[Pete]

thanks you. your thoughts are well received and appreciated ... :)

[R.E. Ray]

Pete, as a Thoreau fan, I love the opening quote. It fits well here. It creates a mood. The image of a “a swig from a crumpled brown bag” is striking and one most can relate to, if not from personal observation, maybe from television.

While this poem has a dark theme, it’s truthful and indisputable truth about our common fate. And, I find comfort in the truth. I also like the artwork/photo, man on the edge, close but still standing tall.

[Pete]

you're very astute and appreciate truth albeit harsh. any fan of thoreau is a friend of mine. thank you for sharing your rich thoughts ... :)

p.s. you might want to visit a barber in the near future before you trip Lol

[Pete]

just kidding about the profile pic - i actually liked it ... :)

[R.E. Ray]

Chicks dig the shorter beard and glasses. ;)

[Pete]

Lol. understood - but then again, it worked for ZZ Top and they got the chicks judging from their Eliminator Album videos ... :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Having left work unintentionally and now living in a rural location, kids grown and flown I think I relate to this Pete. It has a sombre and disappointed/hurt tone to it but boy is it expressive!

[Pete]

ouch. thanks John ... :)

[heith.ash]

the lines" no ones going to call" hit me hard.its so true . in the end its just us fighting alone.
very very powerful .

[Pete]

thank you heith. hoping your phone rings ... :)