Empty Bar Seat

"Letters written to no one except the unfortunate ear"

Blew in from the street
Stumbled up to the bar, found a seat
Ordered strong and simple
Make it a whiskey neat

Could tell from his demeanor
This man needed more
Than the numbing effect of liquor

So I sat down beside him and said hello
No offense
But you're looking worse for wear
Like you've seen better days
When you used to care

I've got time to spare
You can share your burden
We are but mortal men
With fragile minds
And even more delicate emotions

The man cocks his head
Slowly swung around to face
Where the sound of someone's voice
Apparently came

See, this man was special
So lost in grief
And swallowed by sorrow
That everyone around him
Seemed like a distant echo
Separate from reality
Trapped in limbo

The man became concerned
For the other's response
Was a cold and vacant look
What could have befallen a man
What horrors had he endured
No longer a man
But a ghost of a human

The curious gentleman
Settled up his tab and left
Forever changed by what he'd seen that day
And especially what he felt

He thought about it often
Who broke that man and stole his soul
His vacant eyes burned holes through his heart

Forever scarred by that man
Who stumbled into the bar
And ordered a whiskey neat
The man no longer in touch
With his reality