Do Be Wise
Lizzi Potts pours the shots for the Inn at Fourth and Locke
Twas thirteen years last Thursday and she's steady as a rock
Lizzi Potts knows the lot of the princes, scabs and sots
She's as quick with ales and whiskeys as she is with wine and Scotch
Lizzi Potts, knuckles cocked, able leader of the flock
Do be wise to listen closely when she calls the final clock
“Hey, you’re not here...” Challenge
"Hey, you're not here and I'm going to eat the leftover chili. Also, we really need cat food. Talk later."
Beep.
"Hey, you're not here and I'm staring at all these dirty dishes. I cook and you clean, right? Not trying to be a bitch or anything, just saying..."
Beep.
"Hey, you're not here and I'm so bored. Night shift was supposed to make things more fun, with all your days off, and now I hear from you even less. I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything, I just....I guess I just miss you and..."
Beep.
TEXT: Disconnected by the machine. Anyway, love you.
"Hey, I'm here and you're not. I thought you were off tonight. Where are you?"
Beep.
TEXT: Where are you? Miss you. Dinner's getting cold. Call me.
"Hey, I really thought you were going to be here. I know we didn't talk about it, but you were excited to see me too, right? Did you pick up an extra shift? Did you go out with the boys? You know I don't care about that as long as..."
Beep.
DOORBELL.
"Mrs. Markson? I'm sorry. We have some bad news for you."
The Truth at the End
Cold, grim fingers have us all by the throat
The death knell for all will resound
Do nothing to plan for a soul to float
Plead, ignore, bargain, denounce
Quietly ask reason, demand to stay,
Hold fast to mortal, earthen ties
At the tolling, sundown on the final day
illuminates barely lived lives.