Tonight

The open room swirled its inhabitants around

as though they were merely droplets of mouthwash.

Each one was bent double,

their heads buried within screens,

an intense uniform,

slurred speech,

the stench of alcohol.

Outside, cranes ate the land and spewed

rough concrete blocks

on top of where I used to visit

when I searched for peace.

The lapping water replaced by ballast and sand,

vacuumed out of existence.

Faceless creatures wander the dimly lit streets

exuding smoke, oozing acidic words

melting the pavement, warming it before it

becomes their bed again.

I got in just in time and

the worries spilled out my mouth,

the shadows which prowled not far behind me

were held at bay, at least for tonight.

The train passed by and brought with it a new curse,

the noise was accompanied by the tapping of the rain.

I close my curtains, pass out

and wake up not sure where I am.

The outside has

changed again

and it has left a body behind.