the parting glass

as i am lost in these fathomless depths,

the whiskey rolling like amber glass waves 

in crystalline framed walls, i recall death’s 

parting knell. sweet as a bell among graves.

goodbyes bring sweet sorrows to weary eyes

and my skin pulls raw with the loss that lies

on these shores of heartache. too soon it was

that i came ashore, weeping at death’s jaws.