7

March 20, 2020

The couple walks through the snowfield 
If they walk fast enough they can 
Stay on the thin layer of crust without 
Sinking down low and getting their feet wet. 

They walk to get the mail 
Because that’s all there is to do around 
Here. They miss their house in California 
If they stay too long in the ski cabin. 

And this is too long. 
They’re so old. How’d that happen? The 
Man wonders. The woman enjoys retired 
Life and he does not. 

It’s time to get outside for a little 
While and he can barely bring himself 
To stand from his chair and lace up 
His tired boots. 

The mountain’s closed. 
All the people ache to flock to the 
Mountain but it’s not taking 
Any visitors. 

The mountain wants a break, 
To enjoy the blue of the sky 
And maybe explore some of its 
Other passing interests. 

Because it’s never had a chance 
To. And now is the ideal time. 
The bar’s still open, with all it’s 
Wood paneling. 

The people go there and 
Play billiards, drink dark beer, socialize. 
But it’s not the same as the mountain. 
They drink themselves to death. 

The good ol’ days of the bar 
Have passed. You know those bars 
With polaroids pinned up on the walls–
Polaroids of people who don’t come to the bar 

Anymore but look like they had a really good time 
When they did. The barmaid’s still here. She’s 
In the pictures, back when she was 
Bright faced and busty and thought 

This was just going to be a short-term
Thing. She knows the inner workings of 
The bar better than anyone, not that there’s  
Much to know. And she hates her life even 

More than Roxanne. She hasn’t been out
Of the bar in many years it seems,
Doesn’t even remember what the mountain 
Looks like. 

If the bar closed where would she go? 
Because the mountain’s closed too. 
She tries not to think about that.
The man comes into the bar. 

Takes a seat. Orders something 
Drab, sips without vigor, 
Dreading going to get the mail
Tomorrow. 

Let me sink down deep into the 
Snow. Let it come up to my chin
And then don’t stop. But she doesn’t 
Know that. She pours him another.

There’s something of little consequence playing on 
The old television. He latches onto it, cheers for
The blue team. Little do they know this will be the last game ever 
She pours another for herself. The mountain’s still 
closed. 

• ← Roxanne
• 8 →