The Dogs

prologue (16 hours)

Drury Lane.
Not the best place to begin
a Bukowski inspired piece.
anyway
My arms, aching from carrying the booze
hung limply by my sides when you appeared.
I thought nothing
just took a beer from the box
and recovered from the stair climb.

The night wore on
friends came and went,
we became friends and went
on until the morning.

I was intimidated
even though you quoted Keats
and treated me like
you knew me forever

It was time to go
and you were busy
singing the song of sleep
and I made do with memories.

-

The track, after a sweaty tube ride
I rode with your lover, my hero.

It felt good to be back
in the fold of friends
old and new.
I was tired though
and all I could manage was
to exchange coy smiles.

I got a beer and struggled with the form
It had been a while after all.

There were couples and I felt nothing
It's not what I'm after, after all
betting slips gathered around my feet
where I sat
on the floor of the grandstand

After you'd gone, I wondered
about your intellect
and my own naivety.

-

Epilogue (the real prologue)

I'm looking forwards to adventures
with new friends
who may even stick around this time

I'll take another beer
and make a toast:
3 syllables for 3 syllables and
cementing future friendships.