maybe i'll bring Louise

we are

old men at the round table.

shuffling the deck

and tossing small

change into the middle.

we go late into

the night.

no one smokes anymore,

or hardly

drinks.

each beer can has the word lite

written on it.

we have special

dietary needs,

and avoid

the spicy things set out.

Tums are passed

around

the table,

as the pizza arrives.

it's late

nearly ten o'clock with

yawns becoming contagious.

no one wins

the pot, but we agree to

meet again, same

time next week for cards.

maybe

i'll bring Louise.