Glasses are half empty
sent sliding down the bar
as they clink together
a tip put in the jar

Mood is ever changing
as people come & go
to have a laugh & cheer
& see the crowded show

Broken hearts everywhere
just lying on the floor
mine just left with you
walking out the door

If I had only known
exactly what you think
perhaps I would have waited
to order up a drink

Instead, I gulped it down
& chased you with a shot
it sizzles all the way
my insides burning hot

I'm really not a lush
can handle what I sip
except for in the words
that cursed those pretty lips

I'd like another kiss
I'd really like to know
I guess not meant to be
it seems you had to go

I might just be here waiting
but then again,
  ...might not
cuz' unlike this here drink
my heart ...
  it can't be bought.

Cherie Nolan © 2016

I checked the mail everyday hungover feeling like **** probably looking just as bad.
The mail clerk always looked at me strangely .
How's the writing going ?

I had made the mistake one time of speaking to her one day.
She saw I was always sending out envelops to different magazines it was a small town what can I say she was a nosey *****.

Well I'm almost making it I replied to her walking out the door.
It must be great seeing your words in print .
I don't know when they are I will tell you what it's like I replied .

I  was standing at the door more than ready to leave get back home mix a drink and start my routine all over again.

She looked puzzled .
You get so many back surely you must get some things published .
There rejections they always are.

Aww come on you haven't even read them yet .
I'm psychic I don't need to read them.

How come you keep sending them out then if you know the result?

Well you see just like women turning me down I seem to never tire of asking besides if I badger them long enough just like a woman in a bar after a few drinks maybe I just might get lucky.

She just looked at me .
Well you have a nice day MR Robbins.

I left made my way home  happy I could make the nosey ***** uncomfortable I never understood peoples need to know everything I loved my privacy I hated social networks there false ******* happiness all on display it was like a store window all fake all ******* mannequins and fake smiles .

It was never reality besides who gave a **** what you had for dinner !

I sat the mail on my desk or on that over crowded thing that I believe once was a desk  .
Mixed a gin and tonic and began the self abuse that was reading rejection letters .

Most were the bland same **** .
Sorry to say no , We have to pass sorry and good  luck .
One was a card not even a rejection slip these people were pros to bad the women didn't hand these out at bars .

Dear sir.

Thank you for buying me drinks all night making crude jokes while staring at my ****.
Sorry to say not if you were the only man on earth and even if there wasn't a battery left in this world for my ******* .

Sincerely
Valarie  .


Now that would at least be good for a laugh I thought .

I got to the last one some little college paper known for there edgy ******* .

Dear MR Robbins  

We are happy to inform you on your recent  submission to us.
We will be publishing your poem.
A Good Day To Feel Slightly Bad .
In next months issue of are paper thank you again and please feel free
to send us more work.

******* I thought to myself.
Now how would I ever face the post ***** again knowing that I was a total fraud as a psychic.

Well either way I was always happy to be wrong.

I mixed another drink I thought about telling friends about my recent success.
Then I thought to myself.
I really didn't feel like making any today .

Cheers .

Gonz .

You could be my glass of scotch,sans soda
sparkling like gem stones on rocky ice
or
A tiny shot of tequila,besieged
in a castle of glass,pleading
not guilty through out
and
I could quaff you down
my parched throat, like
an elixir,
stung by fearless wisdom ,but
just for tonight.

So, let me drink
you through words,
one at a time
   right words,
     wrong words,
         sensitive words
    and
   insensitive ones,
So many words.

So, let me taste
you through my fingertips,
taking down to you mine
through each flip, like
a token of appreciation, against
generosity bestowed,
none plundered.

So, let me drown
into paras, undulating
like sea waves, on seeing full moon.

Let me sink,and
get high on them, but
Forever!.

-Pallavi Goswami

The handshake comes much quicker
Than it used to in the days
When he held his liquor better
Those times are far away
"Let me shake you by the hand"
he'd bellow in the bar
But, now his grip is weaker
Than it once had been, by far
He used to drink 'till closing
Now, two beers and he is done
He no longer knows his limit
He no longer drinks for fun
The drinks control his shaking
Keep him centered, full of hate
Once he shakes you by the hand
It means things aren't so great
He squeezes hard to make you hurt
Trying to show what he once was
But it only shows his smallness
It accentuates his flaws
Mr "Let me shake you by the hand"
Is in every bar we know
He's quiet when he gets there
But he's loud when time to go
He no longer rules the table
He's just an old drunk in the back
He used to be the favorite
He no longer has that knack
He'll always be a little man
He'll never look you in the eye
Mr. "Let me shake you by the hand"
Will be the same until he dies
In his mind he's full of power
But his body shows what's real
A strong wind would break this man in half
I can't guess how his wife feels
Two beers can change his being
From someone pleasant to an ***
"Mr. Let me shake you by the hand"
gets drunk and turns quite crass
If you ever go out drinking
And your evening is planned
Leave...and in a hurry
If you hear ...."shake your hand."

i am downing drinks
like there is no tomorrow
hoping i don't wake

I think I'm a great dancer,

And love to hit the floor,

But reality is different,

I only dance when drinks you pour.

Times drove us into an endless road of possibilities.
Where I saw the light of hope amongst the stars.
A smidgen of electricity was sent through my entire body,
A smidgen of this endearing feeling runs between the heart and mind—
After our encounter under the starry night skies,
the shared dreams and drinks,
and the whispered of senseless mumbles.

Scattered leaves of Autumn companying beneath,
As the alluring voices from between your crooked teeth,
lull me to another happy ending dream.
As I thought about a figure and a smile as beautiful as yours.
Also the way your eyes glisten under the darkness,
and the tingling scent of yours,
Which brought back the tightening knots—
—Around my lung, heart, and throat.

And before the sun peeked from its horizon,
You asked me,
"Do you love me?"
I leaned to kiss you and whispered,
"Just a smidgen."

The night
The lights
The looks
The smiles
The flirting
The touching
The unwanted want
The desire...

The music
The drinks
The laughter...
Sparkles
Conversations
Desire...

Hands
Skin
Touch...­
No reasoning.
3am going
6am return...

The walk...
Thoughts
Decisions
Gone.