Echoing raspy vocals
Escape into an empty bottle
Labeled Jack Daniels Whiskey
His own interpretation of
The Star Spangled Banner
Oh say how is he
So entertained by the inconsistency
Of his slurring melody
The clock smirks
Counting every second
And missed opportunity
Goosebumps protrude from ghostly white skin
Like brail writing
If only he could feel the warmth
Of eager finger tips dancing on his skin
Interpreting a murder mystery
Resting his old bones
Against the chill of a hard wood floor
Embracing blankets of yesterday’s newspaper
A haze of breath
Escapes from his chapped lips
Carrying a desperate plea for
A second chance