Garland

awake on a sagging sofa
a garland of cans at his
feet

he finds room in
an ashtray nearby
to extinguish the first of the
day

an unfamiliar face
peers at him
through tired eyes

the last to leave
the party

still clad in wine soaked
shirt
he struggles to meet the
day

cruel sunlight taunts his
long work home
a hastily purchased
lucozade brings brief relief
as the walk nears the end

an empty flat greets him
without a smile