Morning After

Morning After
By, Jess Dickson


There is no freedom here
Trapped without a key between these walls
Can’t walk, can’t breathe
Can’t forget you
Beauty escapes in the trickle down
Hot on the throat where screams have come
Drowning memories with 80 proof
Replacing touch with bottlenecks
Chasing tears with carbonated promises

There is no love here
Between these loveless sheets
Don’t stay, don’t go
Don’t remember me
Streaked mascara reflection of loathing
Chemical passion evaporated in waking breath
Joy’s illusion disappears with the sun
Covering tears and skin with terrycloth security
Fleeing shame’s coils in steam

There is no life here
Breathing without soul
Heart beating prayers to porcelain
Won’t live, won’t die
Won’t drown
Yesterday’s dreams swirling down
Scattered across tiled regrets
Bloodshot eyes colorblind
Gray saturates rainbowed hope
This morning after