Thomas W Case

In a Battle Without a Shield

It doesn\'t seem like
Christmas.
Mom and Dad are gone,
the kids are grown; There\'s no
snow on the ground, and
I\'m in the psych ward again.
There is a dead dog loneliness
about the place.
All the patients are asleep,
and it\'s too early to get
my medicine.
Coffee has replaced
vodka in my diet, and
I feel like I\'m in a
battle without a shield.
Even the pen I wield
isn\'t as sharp as it
used to be.