POEM - Empty Premises

What use

are empty premises?

their damp air, filled up

with vacant potential

awaiting the much delayed arrival

of new dreams

pissing rays of optimism

beaming brightly, with a

pristine clarity unbecoming 

of an imperfect vision

for what this could be

in the future

meanwhile, left entirely abandoned, 

the psychic dust circulates

langorous sirrocos of emotional particles 

floating like dandruff

catching the light

of those past and gone, 

tiny momentos, casually dropped

lingering behind skirting boards 

in the skinned heads of carpet pile 

thoughts cast out into the time being

long since

lathered with lotions of regret

empty premises

bare an inherently despondent face

deeply scored 

with the dry and wrinkled strain of waiting

an atmosphere of loss

swathed in self doubt 

for the passing of joys into despond

hopes fulfilled, then trashed

the stress of dreams arising

and souring

before your eyes

as the heart's tenacity

and persistence

peters out

and the door becomes fully closed

on hope springing eternal.

written December 2023

by Stephen Lumb