the first four lines popped into my head yesterday. I'm not sure if this poem has reached it's full potential yet...

The Afters

Everyone leaves when the party’s over
Everyone quits when the game is done
Everyone sleeps when the day is finished
When the dark expanses replace the sun
And I’m left here with unfinished conversations
And the floating thought bubbles that drift here in space
I’m left to clean up all the jokes that were given
And deal with the smile still left on my face
And when everyone stops when the dancing is through,
I have to vacuum up all the lingering laughter
And dispose of all the lines that have already been used
‘Cuz I’m the only one who’s still standing here after
But if another person stays, I won’t have to tidy up
And maybe I can express all I really want to say
And the words worth your while won’t have to go to waste
We can make more of the befores
If on the afters
You stay

Labels: poetry