I made a 

Stage left entrance 

into your life

Still warning myself 

not to make any more messes

30 years and feeling unsated but

too wary to lower defenses

You were sitting down

On a bar stool

Carving your name in the ashes

With your cigarette butt

Getting ready to

Order another round

So I sat down, too

And smiled next to you

And I asked you to tell me about

The moment before

It's been seven months now

And we're still sitting down 

Knocking 'em back

Talking it out

But I'm holding back

Playing the part

Thinking of how I can least

Rip you apart

I kinda fell into

The idea of you

And carving my name beside yours in the ashes

Still unsated

Hopes unslated

And I don't want

Another round

I'm getting up

Smiling back at you

Begging forgiveness for

The moment before

Stage right exits

Are expected eventually

This one so tainted

by the pain on your face and my

Need to create another...

Moment before