Mr. Skipper dot Com

Nothing to Go Home To

(for Robert the Cat, 2001 - 2016)

This sadness
lurks like a serpent
beneath the surface
of a lake.

I immerse myself in work
like I've always done
to hold back
or fill in
for whatever's missing.

I have nothing to go home to.

But it's an hour drive to work
and longer coming home
and that's too much to fill
when I realize

I have nothing to go home to.

I have nothing to go home to.

So I stay out late
and stop at a wine bar
to listen to a friend sing smooth jazz
and it reminds me of other nights
when I stayed out late,
and I feel guilty that I left you alone.

I have nothing to go home to.

And that serpent raises its head
and breaks the water
and I break, too.

I have nothing to go home to.
I have nothing to go home to.

Nothing at all.

Nothing to go home to.

Nothing at all.