Honest Drunk at a Poetry Reading in a Bar by Jonathan K. Rice

No telling how long
he’d been there
before the poet showed up.

There’s a Pabst
and a shot of whiskey
in front of him.

His sleeves wet
from leaning into circles
of sweat from the beer bottle.

The poet situates the mike
as the hostess adjusts the lights
and stacks his books on a table.

Testing one one one.
Can you hear me in the back?
Welcome,welcome!

The drunk looks at his buddy,
the poet, the bartender.
What the fuck?

The hostess introduces the poet,
who gauges the crowd
before he begins.

He reads poems about drinking,
gambling, topless bars, women,
blue collar stuff.

He keeps it short, maybe fifteen
minutes. Figures the clientele
won’t stomach much poetry.

But the drunk shouts
read some more!
So the poet reads a few more poems

Okay that’s enough!
the honest drunk exclaims.
The poet capitulates and thanks the crowd.

Jonathan K. Rice edited Iodine Poetry Journal for seventeen years. He is the author of two full-length poetry collections, Killing Time (2015), Ukulele and Other Poems (2006) and a chapbook, Shooting Pool with a Cellist (2003), all published by Main Street Rag Publishing. He is also a visual artist. His work has appeared most recently in Amethyst Review, As It Ought To Be, First Literary Review-East, The Main Street Rag, Minute Magazine, Rye Whiskey Review, South Florida Poetry Journal, Trailer Park Quarterly and forthcoming in Abbey and San Pedro River Review.