The Journey -- A Poem

Image by Michelle Hoffmann

Pour me another,
Demands the beast.
Until the daylight breaks over the horizon,
I shall stay here — For a while at least.

And so the bartender,
With flourish and grace,
Decants the next chalice
And sets it out to drink.

The beast downs the brew,
Then bows his head twice.
I thank you so kindly
The day has been long and so too the night.

Where are you going?
The bartend inquired,
It must not be far,
For this is the last station
For many a mile.

The beast’s answer was muted,
For he did not want to be heard
By the other patrons —
Which were now two or three.

I’m going to nowhere,
See that’s where I’m from.
It’s a mile past never,
and a left turn at none.

Just then a great roar
Erupted outside,
When the bartender turned back,
The beast was no longer there.

The journey resumed.