Stale Perfume

Stale perfume suffocates
the people around her.
It carries with it
a dusky fog
that releases itself
into the dingy bar.
The gloomy hours
of morning encourage her
to have just one more
intoxicating glass.
She feels old and tired.
The smeared charcoal-like
circles encase exhausted
bloodshot eyes.
A single tear emerges
from a hint of blue
as she ponders her past
and the youth of yesterday.

12-25