a blue light and knock

it's a dark
bar, a strange unlit place

on king street.

you have to knock to get in.
the blue light
outside the door.

the bartender is more of a scientist.
mixing
his drinks.

with his apron on.
his suspenders.

his well groomed beard
and slicked hair.

it feels like 1899 in there.

there are tubes and flasks,
the ceiling is tin.

the bar a hard carved
slice
of mahogany.

you can hardly see your hand
in front of you
as you sip

your strange drink.
it may be gin. it may be
something else.

but down it goes.
then aspirin.