"Jack"
By Stevyn Joachim

A tub of still water. So warm, so clear.
A man and his hopelessness soak together. Soak calmly. Soak with non existent fear.


A selfish decision. Additionally to many, an abominable mistake.
Without a friend, without love, with no family, he's become exhausted. Struggling sadly to get up every single day.

An unsatisfying cliche life. Chasing money, paying for bills.
Following an unbearable routine. No longer able to numb himself with whiskey and pills.

Time has run out for him,
There's no one left to call.
He just wants to go back home.
To a place unknown, a place he never even saw.

A candle burns at the edge of the tub.
He feels safe now. He is ready. Is it ever truly possible to shamelessly admit it when you know enough is enough?

Light, Subtle and sharp.
So much damage such a small, delicate object can do.
Cold against his pruney, thin, wet skin he realizes for a moment that this had been long over due.

Seconds pass. Water once so warm, once so clear, turned to apple red.
"Well, that was easier than getting out of bed", he thought to himself, with a smile as he slowly bled.

As his last breath slips through and out of his lips, his dog Jack comes in and sits by his side.
He forgot about the one true love he ever had and Jack sat there and watched the love of his life die.