Another poem...

The Thistle and the Rose

Well, the evening saunters slowly to an ending,
as a waitress clutters tables with upturned chairs,
The guy at the piano takes his tip jar and his beer,
as the few lost souls remaining wander slowly off in pairs.

And the owner calls out loudly, "Gents, it's time please.
Could you finish off your pints, and drink'em down.
I've a wife at home and family I don't see enough;
So we'll see you all tomorrow, if God's willing;
drink'em down."

There's a bouncer down from Yorkshire by the exit;
I'm smiling at his words I can't translate.
And a pretty little lass hands me my coat and cap and scarf,
as her boyfriend snarls severely, "Come on lad, it's gettin' late."

Two hours ago this place was really jumping,
as waitresses with trays spilled beer and swore:
the smoky smell of laughter wrapped around us,
as the guy at the piano gladly matched our cries for "More!"

A comradeship of strangers for an evening -
if we didn't know the words, we'd hum out loud,
and down our pints then loudly order others;
as a group of lonely strangers, for a moment, became a crowd.

In this company of Crusoes we're all equal;
seek some friendship here to while away the hours.
Why stay homebound when the bed you sleep in's empty:
We're all looking for an answer, but the question's never found.

So we go down to the Local to forget some -
might get lucky with a lady, if she's easy -
Buyin' rounds with the men, and soon everyone's your friend;
but no one knows your name tomorrow evening.

The embers in the fire are slowly dying,
as I turn my back and hear the door slam, locked.
Another evening over at my Local,
now all I hear's my footsteps as they echo down the block

But I think that I might come again tomorrow,
to share a piece of life with commonn souls
who know the knocks and graces life can deal us,
the best and worst, served noon till late,
at the Thistle and the Rose.


Just a reminder on how important are loved ones really are. I am so lucky to have found the love of my life and I am keeping her.