Fire up that man’s cigar and pour that man a drink.
Give him, too, a barstool where a man can sit and think.
Greet him with sincerity, he’ll greet you with esteem,
treat him bad, be wary, for you’d wish he’d never been.
Give that man his time of day and give that man his say,
pour that man another drink or he may steal away.
Leave him to what he deserves, deserving he, what owed,
it’s been a long time coming, been a long and dusty road.
Give that man his corner where the judge is out of sight,
the jury in the shadows will leave him to his light.
Give that man his standing and allow him make his mark,
pay heed to what he has to say, don’t leave him in the dark.
And let him find his bearin’s for he has travelled far.
Place that man his compass on the counter of the bar.
Pour that man the best of hooch and he will signal, ‘when’
and when his glass is empty, well, pour the best again.
If it be, he’ll raise a cheer, whatever he may toast;
let him say in his own way, the words that matter most.
Let him be, as is his wont, his business is his own,
if found him in company or sups his hooch alone.
Leave him to his silence if it’s silence that he longs,
in the quiet of his thinking if that’s where he belongs.
And if it be well, let him weep, his whiskey tears to dry,
to drink away another day where memories come to cry.
Let him drift into a place, to find a state within,
to wind in his wishes when they come to succour him.
Give that man what he is due, and he will find his place.
Pour that man another dram and leave him in his peace.
-
Author:
Tony Grannell (
Offline) - Published: July 19th, 2025 05:21
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 14
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Cheeky Missy
Offline)
Comments3
Tony this poem has a rambling feel as if it were a the life of one making their way through the world amidst its travails and now time worn and travel tattered they deserve their accolades and dues. It has the feel of a familiar bar where the clientele are all familiar and the atmosphere is friendly. Nicely written in good rhyme and meter it carries a fave from me
Hello Soren,
You are correct, one weary fellow at the end of his tether, enjoying the comforts of a public house. Memories, regrets and wishes in each sup of whiskey. Your responses are always welcomed and highly valued.
Fond regards,
Tony.
Keep writing them Tony
BRAVO
Thank you very much, Tony, always nice to hear from you.
Enjoy the week ahead,
Tony.
You're welcome
Reminds of when pubs were pubs and not sports bar and eateries, when you sit at the bar and talk, there would always be an older man in the corner who could entertain you all night with his tales, enjoyed the read
There are few good pubs left, real pubs where people socialised without getting drunk but enjoyed the merriment and the camaraderie therein. Great to hear from you again and your words are very much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Tony.
You are very welcome
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