poem
WRITTEN:
1993, 26 years
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
This is based closely on a personal experience. So closely based in fact that it documents it reasonably well - but only reasonably as I was quite sozzled by the end of it. I'd been to job interviews in the morning, trying to find some part-time work to supplement my near non-existent income from my newly-commenced freelancing, had some kind of personally disturbing co-incidence brought to my attention and decided that I needed to get drunk. My diary from that period is hopelessly inadequate so I can't give you more info than that.
It was just before lunch
I was distracted, sought alcohol
Found a little pub quite by chance
Had a drink or two on my own
Then lunchtime, and the regulars poured in
Conversations flowed with the flow of amber fluid
Glasses and places were emptied
The lunch-time rush over
A man beside me with a ring in his ear
Drew me into conversation
(Or was it the other way around?
Befuddled by bourbon I cannot recall)
I signalled to the barmaid, she poured me another
His name was Dave; here come the introductions
(Dave and David, Warren and Steve, John, some others)
Four men play snooker
One asks if I am lonely
We start talking
It occurs to me that no-one has attempted to chat me up
I am pleased
A rare occurrence, or lack thereof if you will
I recall contradictions
Wonder if I made them
Care not
Another bourbon, pretty please
He speaks of his sister, Virginia
He called her Virge
Something tweaks in my consciousness
Virge on the verge
She had an appointment with a train
Kept it
Not a good subject for poetry
Not for one so unskilled as I
After six or so drinks I stagger off home
Somehow I make it
Fall asleep
Wake
Wonder
Did I really say that?