Empty Nest

On my bathroom shelf today

there is only one toothbrush

“Are you lonely?” said I.

“No, not I,

but the mirror tells me

you very often cry,

pretending there’s dust in your eye”.

“Yes, I guess it’s tough,

coming to yourself in a locked home,

switching on the TV

and still feeling alone.

When they were all here,

I begged for peace.

Now they’re all gone

I’m still ill at ease,

waiting for a bell to ring,

maybe the door, maybe the phone,

just anybody to talk to,

as long as I don’t feel alone.”

Years pass, the old toothbrush is alone

where now no longer are any more.