The lights are orange
No smoking ban will take away
the stains of tobacco and warm hearts
Men standing
Some playing pool
Others messing with the Jukebox
Hoping to find a song that can Cover
the unbearable howl of their own Existence
Raucous laughter as people spill out Into the alleyway
to discuss women
And roll cigarettes.
Each one of them leaves a terrible life At the door
Ex wives
Broken families
Joblessness
The recession
Broken teeth, or unfashionable clothing
But they come together Like they have always done
Great men People who know how to live
Who knew this was waiting for them Later in life.
They will stay too long
Knowing the consequences
Knowing what they will come home to
A prolonged and painful fight with the wife
Or a cold empty home which echoes and amplifies every sound they make.
Here they will stay Until their son’s school lunch money Is drunk
Or until that howl Becomes too much To bear
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