Closing Time

I thought, I would drink with him
Late in to a Newcastle night
Smoking our troubles
Chewing the fat on steak and rumours
Telling tales of Gallic footballers
Firing brickbats across the bar
He, understanding my language
Better than I did
Me, responding by accusing the French
Of high jacking our nouns and adjectives
He had the chance to order another pint
But, for reasons I will never understand
He waited too long
And by then…
Closing time had been called

Jeff Price
17/08/2005