San Miguel in Lieu of Water
By Garland Davis
The thirsty sailor is not mistaken
when he orders the San Miguel beer
because they say the water causes
gastric upset but the tongue craves wet
With the graceful beauty of a butterfly
she brings the cold libation to his table,
slides into her seat and takes his arm.
He drinks long thinking of pleasures
that would come in the dark of night.
While bottle chilled hands grasp
one icy San Miguel after another,
she tells him of the thrills to come
after he buys her another drink and
and pays Mama her onerous Bar Pine.
He stumbles to his feet and drains
the bottle of that precious Pilsen.
She holds him close as they move
through the narrow alley to her bed.
