King of the Night

My books are available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-W.-Case/author/B0CL2RKDGX?ref=sr

At night, I thought I was king,

basking in a neon crown

of an empty kingdom.

Music shaking the walls of the world.

Like I was a character in a Tom Waits song�"

half smoke, half shadow,

half believing it would never end.

I forgot the music always ended.

Another quarter in the jukebox

to stretch the night.

The darkness made promises it couldn’t keep.

Or maybe I just put too much stock

in the noise.

High heels and skirts

drifting through the haze of it,

laughing like nothing ever dies.

Ice cubes floating in glass

like time wouldn’t eventually melt.

Everything softer, easier,

lies moving through the chatter

like smoke in a closet.

I wore the night like a tuxedo,

like it belonged to me forever,

my rusty armor.

But morning never asked permission.

It busted through the window

like it owned the room.

Not gentle. Not patient.

Just light spilling across my face,

indifferent, doing its job.

The spell gone like a beer bottle

busted over a bum’s head.

A half-empty glass of scotch

on the nightstand.

Stale smoke on the roof of my mouth.

The weight of last night

suddenly visible

in the mirror and the ashtray.

And the king of the night

wasn’t a king anymore.

Just a fool who bought into the game.

Just a man trying to remember

how silence works�"

like a little snail

doused with salt.

Author's Note

Just posted a new long-form poetry reading on my YouTube channel featuring selections from Aluminum Cowboys, one piece from Sleep Always Calls, and a sneak peek from my upcoming book Searching for Nod, coming this November.

A simple at-home reading—just the work and the page.

Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvZAR6uno3A

Books available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-W.-Case/author/B0CL2RKDGX?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=xsU45&content

Thanks for reading and listening.

Reviews

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thomas, you not only write with great truth and beauty, you yourself are beautiful for being so open, for unashamedly writing of the demons that haunt your past. No one else in the Cafe writes like you. Thank you. It’s always a joy to read your work, even if the message is far from joyful.

[Thomas W Case]

I truly appreciate that. Thank you.

[W. Barrett Munn]

One of my favorite of all you many fine lines: another quarter in the jukebox to stretch the night.
Been there, have the t-shirt.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[Neville]

Bukowski would be extremely proud of you Thomas .. write on brother & always, you do it so bloomin well .. Neville

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.

[red93]

Great Work Thomas - how well you capture this, and the self-loathing that made you change your ways, and kick for good the evil demon alcohol. Exceptional Plus ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[Soren]

A poet's poem written with such great lines Thomas this is very nicely done.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much.

[Soren]

Most welcome my friend