Addiction

He called himself a free man
—pour another drink
stroking pinup playing cards
his fingers frail and long
nails cracked, black
imperfect glass
Eyes fixated on the screen

—and yes, my teeth are perfect
groomed and dined
fat and clean
—and yes, I slept in three beds
a month between
each a different scream
—pass around the merry ink well
and I shall never dream
And he passed out a free man
his hand inside the stain