Snakes & Ladders

I don’t think

You appreciate

How hard it is

To stay on track

When the only steps

Available

Are two forward

And three back

4

The Rough Vs The Smooth

I’ve often wondered

Over the years

If I had never met

The barbarian

What my life

Would have been like

Had I slept

With the librarian

(Inspired by a writing prompt offered by Michael at https://afterwards.blog)

High School English Teachers 

I remember everything about you

Your cardigan, glasses and quiff

If you weren’t so much older

Maybe I’d have been bolder

And asked you out forthwith

(Originally Posted 19.08.2022)

Last Chance 

Despite my protests

to the contrary,

it has always

been you.

Why not 

meet me

at the library,

and I’ll make

your dreams

come true.

(Originally Posted 19.08.2019)

4

Flimsy

It never ceases to amaze me

How quickly the tears can flow

At some moment of nostalgia

Or sentimental TV show

I guess it’s just indicative

Of how most days I can deal

But just beneath the surface

Lurks a trauma yet to heal

2

Is It Really The Kindest Thing?

The worst is when

All hope is gone

And you know that they

Can’t carry on

When the end is coming

At them hard

And all that’s left

Is wounds and scars

That’s when you wish

They could call it a day

Instead of just watching

Them waste away

2

“I Was Sorry To Hear About Your Dad…”

I remembered what

It was like today

Back when that pain

Gnawed away

When his death broke me

To the sum of my parts

And my mental health

Was off the charts

And although with her

I did empathise

I couldn’t be false

Or tell her lies

So I whispered the truth

As I’ve come to accept it

Although time does heal

It can never correct it

0

Pot Luck

Feel free

To take it all

She said

The Valium,

Zoloft and Prozac

They never really

Worked for me

So it’s not like

I’ll need them back

0

I’ve Met Your Sort Before

I’ll sleep with you

When I’m good and ready

So don’t come around here

All hot and heavy

Thinking your patter

Will trick me to bed

You see all that talk

I’ve heard before

And believe you me

I know the score

So never again

Can I be misled

2

Under Pressure

I need time

To think it through

She said

It’s not that cut

And dried

Well you need

To hurry up

He said

As time’s not on

Our side

4

The Wisdom Of Age

The older I get

She said

I’ve realised

That the timing

Will never be right

You’ve just got to go for it

She said

And to not

Be so uptight

4

The Power Of Walking Away

I am honestly

Not interested

In whatever

You’ve got to say

It’s not like

It’ll make a difference

To how I feel

Anyway

For I have

Already decided

This relationship

Has died a death

So you may as well

Just leave me alone

And save

Your fucking breath

4

It’s Been A Long Week

I’ll go out with you

Again tonight

But don’t expect

I’ll be too much fun

I mean, I’ll be okay

But will slip away

When my social battery

Is done

2

Bored To Tears

There was a time

I’d humour you

But that has long

Since passed

It’s not like I ever

Wanted to know

That’s why I

Never asked

0

At Daggers Drawn

As another sun sets

On our argument

My stomach

Is still in bits 

Because of all the things

We could’ve been 

I never thought

That we’d be this

0

The Heat Of The Moment

I never said 

You weren’t thoughtful

Not conscientious or kind 

It’s just that when I said 

I wish you were dead 

I had other things

On my mind 

3

“That Plastering Needs Done”

If I was a little more forward

And not just so uptight

Then I’d stop being so awkward

And sleep with you tonight

But as it is I’m a coward

With no confidence at all

So the only thing I’ll see tonight

Are the cracks in my bedroom wall

0

Into The Night

Just kick back

And drink with me

There’s no need

To be so reserved 

As for tying up loose ends

And toasting old friends

We’ve got all the time 

In the world

(Inspired by a writing prompt offered by Michael at https://afterwards.blog)

4

Glassy Eyed

This isn’t the most painful

She said

Or the worst hardship

I’ve endured

My armour’s doing fine

She said

Though I’m not too sure

About yours

9

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