Nursing himself back to better feelings
With another amber ale.
It drowns last night’s dull ache
And the taste of chips gone stale.
This glass is unlike the others.
This one holds all the keys.
A lifetime cradling convention
Beats worn and weathered knees.
The fizzy, familiar lift
Counterbalances life fallen flat.
A final sloppy slurp—“hasta mañana”—
He shuffles across the frayed doormat.
