The Eternal Mystery

so i went down

and bought some cider.

the meter was low too;

so that needed some funds.

the small, asian shop owner

smiled at me.

i smiled back.

his english was good enough

but a smile goes far

regardless.

as i work on the cider,

pondering over brands

two girls came in.

their skin was tanned.

hair bleached blonde.

trackies and trainers.

their voices were harsh

with hangover and a youth

spent sucking on cigarettes.

'you never bought me a drink

last night'

'didn't i?'

'no. everyone was buying me

drinks at the Bricklayers,

but you didn't buy me a drink.'

'i'm sure i did.'