The End Stool

The End Stool Always askew As if occupants left quickly Such is the life of the bar’s end stool We’ve all noticed its isolation Its paradoxical value as an observation point The lighthouse warnings Stay away from the rocks Yes End stools are special Reserved for the aloof Yet Wanting the “more” of life Like we who occupy the center Will never know End stool has a story Ancient as Christopher Marlowe Recent as Oliver Reed, Richard Burton, and Peter O’Toole Contemporary as Bukowski Think aloneness is desired? Think not Oneness without connection to another something is… Such is the sadness of lives ended Atop the End Stool