Midway Upon – Poetry by Jason O’Toole

At almost 51
I live on croissants
that are cold
in their center,
& black coffee,
no sugar.

Sugar, holdover:
Days of rancid beans.

My coffee, not so bitter,
needn’t wear mask.
But why can’t they leave
my ham & cheese croissant
in the press
a moment longer?

I don’t ask.
Maybe I’m too hungry
to wait. Maybe

running out of time.

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About the Poet

Jason O’Toole spent most of his working life as a criminal investigator. He is the author of Spear of Stars (2018) and Soulless Heavens (2019) published by The Red Salon. His writing has been featured in poetry journals such as The Scriblerus, Sparks of Calliope, Nixes Mate Review as well as several anthologies. He collaborates with Providence based experimental musician, Alec K. Redfearn and Slovakian neo-classicist, Herr Lounge Corps in two very different projects which combine spoken word with original compositions. He was also nominated for the Rhysling Award.