The room was quiet,
except for the clock
and the fan
with its low whirl.
He sat in a chair
and thought about
opening the blinds.
There were things
a man could leave behind.
There were other things
that haunted him,
like ghosts
that weren't invited.
He'd learned that much.
The morning had
nothing to say to him,
like a pouting woman.
Coffee on the table,
keys beside it,
an old novel by Steinbeck
he'd just finished reading.
Jack watched a roach
crawl across the floor.
He watched it for a while.
Then crushed it
with his shoe.
He thought about
the old days,
not with regret.
Regret was a luxury
for people who hadn't
lived through their mistakes,
hadn't learned a damn thing.
He'd made his choices.
Some of them
had cost more
than he bargained for.
The clock kept talking.
He stood up,
checked his pockets,
slipped on his pork pie hat,
grabbed his wallet
off the mahogany dresser.
The keys.
The phone.
Everything a man needs
to slip away.
Then he opened the door.
Outside,
the morning sang
a green song.
The sky was
a crazy Van Gogh blue.
A red Volkswagen Bug
rolled through the intersection.
Yellow and orange leaves
danced across the sidewalk.
Somebody laughed
a few houses down.
He stood there
for a second,
then stepped into it.
-
Author:
Thomas W Case (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: September 27th, 2026 09:24
- Comment from author about the poem: All of my books are available on Amazon, and my latest book. Searching for Nod will be available on Amazon next week: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-W.-Case/author/B0CL2RKDGX?ref=sr Here's a link to my YouTube channel where I do poetry readings: https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasWCase
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 16
- Users favorite of this poem: Paul Bell, Tristan Robert Lange, Teddy.15
Offline)
Comments9
Life in its colors and shapes its movements and simpleness that makes all good art. Nicely done Thomas
Thank you.
Most welcome Thomas
The choices we made in the past it seems, now control what we do in the now.
Decisions take seconds, consequences last for years.
I think this guy is getting on with it.
No other way it seems.
Thanks
it is what it is and best make do this piece says to me, much enjoyed
Thank you.
most welcome
Beautifully understated—haunting, reflective, and quietly hopeful. The ending is especially striking.
Thanks
You are welcome my friend.
Thomas, damn...this felt quietly hopeful without trying too hard to be. That final step outside landed for me. Fantastic write, my friend.🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thanks, my friend.
With an ending as open as I hope the day was to be for him.
Thank you, my friend.
Stepping on the Roach was quite telling for me.
Taking life frustrations out on the Bug.
Enjoyable Write.
Thank you.
My Pleasure.
I prefer spending my time with the ghosts. A wonderful write. 🌹
Thank you, sweet Teddy.
Such a familiar and homely scene set in verse 👌💅
Thanks
Welcome 🙏🏼
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