Winner

I remembered him

when he came through the door,

walked up to the bar

and ordered a beer.

“Hey, I know you!” he said.

“Yep.”

Endless, frozen days

building the courthouse downtown.

Him and that other guy—

3rd year apprentices...

I was just a pup.

“Fetch this, fetch that....

and smile while yer doin’ it!”

Laughter...applause...

Lots of that kinda thing.

I remembered, as I

uncapped the bottle, slid it over.

“I guess we gave you

a pretty hard time back then...”

“It’s cool,” I said.  “but I don’t put up

with that shit anymore.”

I smiled.  He just stared.

He handed me a five, said

“Keep it.  Good to see ya.”

Then walked over to his buddy’s table,

to shoot some stick.

Probably a journeyman, now,

making union wages.

10-12 hour days. Weekends.

Making the mortgage,

making payments on a

garage-full of toys he hardly used,

while I was the all-powerful,

all-knowing bartender.  I had my

studio apartment, and the power to 86. 

Five bucks an hour, PLUS tips...

and free drinks.  Don’t forget.