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.