Don Coyote

An earlier version appeared in Poetry Scotland 35

I recall many days like this
their outlines blurring vague
sitting with friends
over amber pints and wine
sand-time dripping
that laugh of an old story
told to those who were there
this is it all

nights out birthdays and aftershows
boxes of Don Coyote
empty bags supporting our heads
in Urquhart Road discussing love
football and essays complaining
of debt another round on plastic
homework in the Bobbin
pitchers of Grolsch,
phones buzzing

and we left for Italy
Ireland Glasgow Japan
Under the Hammer is closed
But part of me is still there
an empty glass stained with Guinness,
twenty Marlboro Light
Dan four pints of Ossians down
his cardigan buttoned up
singing happily to himself
we all live in a pub in Aberdeen
A pub in Aberdeen a pub in Aberdeen