Sitting here apart and quiet.
He takes a shot every time memories muzzle flash illuminate the theater stage behind his eyes.

His fingers within
her long black hair.
Her lipstick on his mouth.
Her voice murmuring his name.

Tonight is her wake.
He’ll drink too much,
find a quiet, darkened street to cry on.

This is her eulogy, her requiem.
She is dead. He’ll never experience those senses of her again. He killed her.

Stephen J. Golds was born in the U.K, but has lived in Japan for most of his adult life. He enjoys spending time with his daughters, reading books, traveling, boxing and listening to old Soul LPs. Glamour Girl Gone, his debut novel, will be released by Close to The Bone Press on January 29th, 2021. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGone58.