A Snifter

Robert William Service

After working hard all day
          In the office,
How much worse on homeward way
          My old cough is!
Barney’s Bar is gaily lit,
          Let me stop there;
Just to buck me up a bit
          Have a drop there.

As I stand beside the screen
          Hesitating,
I have thought of how Noreen
          Will be waiting;
Baby Patsy in her lap
          Gay and laughing,
While at Barney’s foaming tap
          I am quaffing.

Barney’s Bar is mighty bright,
          Looks so cheery.
Wonder what I’ll drink tonight?
          Gee! I’m weary.
Will I have Scotch or Rye?
          Bourbon maybe . . .
Then I see with mental eye
          Wife and baby.

So I say ’tis malted milk
          I’ll be skoffin’;
Sooth my throttle sleek as silk,
          Ease my coughin’ . . .
Say, I love them two to death,
          Sure they miss me:
With no whisky on my breath
          How they’ll kiss me!

Index + Blog :

Poetry Archive Index | Blog : Poem of the Day