What is left when all has left?

A barren house barely lets the sun in,
no Halfway House for course correction --
no band attempting to conceal
guttural attempts at a smooth delivery.

Some remain, patting the fat back
of a dying dog -- yesterday's family, gone,
squirrels gnaw at rotted sash,
yet bravado remains pointing
at the charts of success, the constant lie
of worth.

It could have been different, the structure
was there, weak but intact -- little help though,
when the temptation let it all
drift away.

What remains: the stare into the blank eyes
of yellowed photo's, the empty swing, a disabled wagon
never repaired, the illusion of importance,
pizza memories, cold when delivered.

The sun starts to warm the backs of Bluebirds,
their flight and song remain with no charts needed
to proclaim success.

Edward Rochester Esq.

On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 2:45:57 PM UTC, Edward Rochester Esq. wrote:
> What is left when all has left?
>
> A barren house barely lets the sun in,
> no Halfway House for course correction --
> no band attempting to conceal
> guttural attempts at a smooth delivery.
>
> Some remain, patting the fat back
> of a dying dog -- yesterday's family, gone,
> squirrels gnaw at rotted sash,
> yet bravado remains pointing
> at the charts of success, the constant lie
> of worth.
>
> It could have been different, the structure
> was there, weak but intact -- little help though,
> when the temptation let it all
> drift away.
>
> What remains: the stare into the blank eyes
> of yellowed photo's, the empty swing, a disabled wagon
> never repaired, the illusion of importance,
> pizza memories, cold when delivered.
>
> The sun starts to warm the backs of Bluebirds,
> their flight and song remain with no charts needed
> to proclaim success.
>
> Edward Rochester Esq.
We like the "cold pizza memories." Are the bluebirds jealous? They must be...