The Other Side

I sat alone
studying my thoughts
from the perspective of Jack . . . single malt
straight

Across from me
on the other side of the bar
was a glass of vodka
maybe gin
or some other clear elixir on ice
accompanying silent thoughts

I sip my poison
and feel the burning sensation
deep in my chest
and wonder what troubles my distant drinking partner

I laugh to myself
knowing
that his problems aren’t anywhere close to my turmoil
and I watch him sip his poison
without looking up

I tap the bar
almost at the same time as he does
and in unison “another one”
like a distant conversation between to two people
from two different worlds
brought together by a similar need to ponder why

And then I wonder
maybe
just maybe
he thinks his reasons for being at the drinking table
are more than my burdens
I take a sip . . . if he only knew

Then for a brief moment
as if we’re toasting each other’s troubles
nod to one another
without a conversation because the distance
between where I am
and where he sits
is too far

Reminded me of the narrator in "sin city"...

Pub talk....