Between a Bar and Me...

Saved, in so many ways.

---

---

Between a Bar and Me…

Between a bar and me:
I ask a stranger,
'What would you like?'
Sometimes they answer—
not always what they’re thinking.
They don’t come here to think,
not about what kind of 
beer they’d like, or
if they’d prefer their
Bloody Mary—spicy.

The old man,
old, regular man,
regular—because his first
begins when the door opens—
8 a.m.,
eyes the two men
having a flirting conversation with me
at the other end…
the one by the door;
frequented only by newcomers, 
because they haven’t fallen that far in.
And, he asks if they’re from out of town.
A yes answer,
and he gives them warning,
“This lady bartender
is not available 
for anything
BUT serving alcohol!”
He is protective 
and untrusting in his drunkenness.
I smile and give him a wink—
I’ve got it under control.

But, later that night…
when most have gone home,
or to other bars,
I wish that old man,
old, regular man
was there—
for conversation,
and for protection—
as a witness.

A thoroughly drunk 
couple stumbles in,
passing through from the alley.
They decide to stop for a beer.
She slings her over-heavy purse on the bar,
with audible Klunk, and
orders two Buuddwieserrres,
and informs me—
should anyone
come in 
who has
shot at her before…
Well, let’s just say—she 
IS prepared!
The ‘gun’ is in her bag.

I believe her.

BUT!
She shows me anyway.
Then, throws it back in with a warning,
“Don’t touch it! 
It’s loaded, 
AND 
could go off at any time!”

Silence drinks,
and sudden—
“HEY! Could I have a SHhhhOT!”
And I pour it for her,
thinking,
I should just give her the bottle!

I look at the clock and 
thank the bar gods—2 a.m., 
bar time.
Time to close,
and they go.

Thank God—
in held breath released!
With my inner wishes,
'Pray they don't ever 
come back.'

At home
in bed,
ALIVE,
I think...
'Whew!
Thank YOU, God!
Praise You for sending me 
old regulars and,
in those alone times,
being there.'

I go to easy sleep...
It’s all experience;
and it’s why 
I love my job!'




W-Gray, 1995

---

Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash

---