Standing Eight Count

Thomas W Case



I was starving in
Pennsylvania.
One night, I had
enough.
Done with it all.
The poverty and
sickness.
The drunken mad
nights
and dog-fight days.
Brutality for breakfast.
Served sunny side up
runny yolks with
butterflies trapped in
the yellow sunshine.
Spiders built webs in
my soul.

I stood on the torn-up
couch in my living room and
yelled at the walls.

Listen, you devil.
You want me, you better be
ready for a fight.
I paced the floor like a
washed-up heavyweight champ,
eyeing the ceiling like a
drunken sparrow in a cat's mouth.

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Comments +

Comments9

  • sorenbarrett

    Just like I like em gritty, dark, full of flavor. Well done Thomas

  • Cheeky Missy

    That's not fair! I couldn't resist laughing when you concluded upon such a note rendered to cull laughter with such a twist. Honestly, oh you! Beautifully rendered with exquisite imagery and a waltzing poignancy. Thank you for sharing.

    • Thomas W Case

      Thank you. Much appreciated.

    • Poetic Licence

      Your writing is so raw,honest and down to earth, and this is another fine write, enjoyed the read

    • Teddy.15

      I love the vision in here especially the spider web in your soul, hey try as he might he will never be able to win you over dearest Thomas, stay cool and very proud 🦚 🌹

    • Tristan Robert Lange

      This is dark and poetic with teeth. I love this Thomas! Well done! 🌹👏

    • arqios

      Intense and tremendous 🙏🏻🕊️

    • NafisaSB

      wow, that's the spirit. i must really learn a lesson from this poem. good advice

    • Kevin Hulme

      Your Poems have a Raw edge to them .
      Read a Book recently by Ed McBain: that style of Prose was the same. Like a Blackjack to the senses. Good Write.

    • RSM0812

      Great imagery. I love the last line, "drunken sparrow in a cats mouth". Brilliant.



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