At Bernard's Restaurant and Bar

Used to pull up a stool after work at Bernard’s

restaurant and bar.

Convenient for me for I had an apartment upstairs.

Drink as much as I wanted without fear of a getting

a DUI. Didn’t have to drive.

Vodka on ice was my drink, a double please, and

keep them coming until I tell you to stop, I would

say to the barkeep so long ago I forgot her name,

sweet gal, though, I’d have to say, always filled my

glass over the two-shot limit which assured her a

generous tip at the end of the evening.

Nowhere else to go, recently a bad spell

of luck at a precarious time in life, divorce and a

failed relationship after that.

Alcoholic, me? More than likely. You would be

too had you been through what I was going through.

Barbara, no Katherine, no neither of those. So long

ago, can’t rightly remember the barkeep’s name.

Sweet gal, though, kept those vodka coming. Tipped

her well when I called it a night and retired to my

apartment upstairs and hit the hay.

Next day, pretty much the same, saved a lot of money

that way, never had DUIs to pay.

Bobbie, no. Frankie, no. Damn it, a long time ago.

Can’t recall her name, sweet gal, though.

Chris Hanch 12-17-19