public housing.

there are lots of people in this pub

I see them come-and-go from my little back seat

the ladies and their Pimms to my left

with complaints about the neighborhood

[and also the humidity]

-

straight ahead are the suits

trying hard not to look like suits

what with their sunglasses on their heads

unbuttoned shirts

and their suits

-

to the right is the door

to the kitchen and the landlord who lives up there

it wasn’t that long ago that I worked on those cups

it wasn’t that long ago that I didn’t care

-

and then, behind the casks and ales and crisps

in front of the measured pours that I hate

between the extra cold and the import

leans the ringleader of this tuesday circus

and smiles ’cause he knows this is true

-

he’ll help you celebrate

he’ll help you cheer

he’ll also help you forget.

and I’m sure there have been more.

and come to think of it,

I’ve had a few memories in this place

[in the recent few]

-

meaning multiply that by a many

and I’m in a confessional

a shrink’s office

relationship counseling

and someone’s solace

-

for me it’s an office,

and some of the above

and how nice is it I can get all of these things done

while at the same time

drinking to remember

and a few to not.