Engendering Affection by R. Gerry Fabian

I am not supposed to be here.

Sleep does not come easy.

By 11:35 I give in.

Arthritic walk limping

three blocks to the bar,

I arrive and order an IPA pint

hoping it will dull the pain

and promote drowsiness.

As I finish the last swallow,

the bartender brings me another pint

paid for by the wily woman

smiling at the end of the bar.

I wave in appreciation

as my eyes try to discern

any semblance of recognition.

There is an empty seat next to her.

I am not supposed to be here.

R. Gerry Fabian is a published poet and novelist. He has published 

four books of his published poems, Parallels, Coming Out Of The Atlantic, Electronic Forecasts and Wildflower Women as well as his poetry baseball book, Ball On The Mound.