Neglect

coffee stirred with a chopstick
a garden of shotglasses
skyline of unshelved volumes
uneven carpet of laundry
ashtray set to overflow with the still-smouldering remains of cigarettes hastily rolled from the still-smouldering remains of pipe tobacco
ravenous children gnawing dry ramen, spooning chocolate powder into gaunt faces

these are signs of neglect

books empty of unwritten poetry
canvas devoid of paint or primer
moonlit terraces undanced upon
words unwhispered to a lover at dawn

oh, the embarrassment of choice