BEER STREET By Dave Newman

Because there are nearly 

400 Bourbon Streets in America

and because I believe 

in quiet nights that turn loud

and as many drinks as possible

I have decided that my new address
and all my addresses henceforth
shall be known as Beer Street

and all drinkers who show up 

with a story are welcome to stay 

if the story is great enough

and the evening is long enough.

The roads have now turned to rivers

of beer made of friendship and great brawls.
Swim on. 

Dave Newman is the author of seven books, most recently, The Same Dead Songs: a memoir of working class addictions. He lives in Trafford, PA, the last town in the electric valley.