Passing Time

In the vaguely
Haunted
Eventless days
Of wandering aimlessly
Over bridges
From bank to bank
Past smoky cafes
And cheap hotels
High on wine
And careless oblivion
Putting place
And tradition
Beyond the tangible
Striking
Of my tears
On cobblestones
As I stumble and stagger
From Notre-Dame
To Sacre-Coeur
Seeking only salvation
From the city’s endless stream
Of silenced dreams

John P. Drudge is a social worker working in the field of disability management and holds degrees in social work, rehabilitation services, and psychology. He is the author of two books of poetry: “March” and “The Seasons of Us” (both published in 2019). His work has appeared widely in numerous literary journals, magazines, and anthologies internationally. John is also a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee and lives in Caledon Ontario, Canada with his wife and two children.