They gravitate each day to the same place

for this gathering there is no haste

Some nurse a hazy hangover

because very few are truly sober

 

The gathering has an early start

with very few comments to impart

Drinks are ordered, the waiter knows

for yesterday evening he was at the close

 

Cider, beer, wine and a brandy for some

a few minutes pass by and others do come

A sullen silence begins their day

as very few have anything to say

 

A second round, a third to follow

poured into tummies that seem quite hollow

From a subdued beginning a vitality grows

from whence it comes only the bottle knows

 

Within an hour much merriment is seen

tongues wag with gossip to glean

Eyes that are wide are given new life

a husband leans forward and embraces his wife

 

Soon the group is in full swing

a happy waiter begins to sing

More orders are rapidly placed

by now many are suitably laced

 

Time wears on, voices are slurred

some wipe their eyes for their sight is blurred

 

Cries of joy and slaps on the back

a few now wish to hit the sack

Some leave and bid farewell

not even the time they could tell

 

An afternoon´s snooze in a blissful state

passes by at a gentle rate

The evening is greeted with a snort

the bibulous few return without a thought