The Most Perfect Old Fashioned

I was piecing together the glass I threw
when your face appeared in the window.
My hands were red, the floor streaked
with suppressed illness, sadness
to be ashamed of. I stayed sitting
as you tried the door, the bell, knocked.
We’ll get you help, your words frosted.
I riposted, I’ll get you a new drink.
I fixed you the most perfect old fashioned,
poured it down the front of my dress,
then
       lit it
              on
                  fire.

Mason Hayes, originally from Los Angeles, holds a Bachelor's in English from Oklahoma State University, a Master's in Philosophy of Ethics, Law, and Politics from University of Nevada, Reno, and currently works at Utah State University. You can find more of her work in Clarion and Zaum.