the last time I saw Andy
I wish it was the time we went wandering drunk
searching the downtown bars
looking for his old man he’d not seen since
since exactly when he couldn’t remember
but it was a happy time & he wanted that back
we were looking & listening for the piano man
standing in doorways listening first for a tinkle
some showtune being banged out on an old Joanna
that was his old mans gig made his daily bread
after hours of walking we heard the keys through the door
went in bought a beer at the bar sat up close
trying to catch the old man’s eye as he played on
cigarette curling smoking on the old upright open lid
a row of beers from customers on the shelf behind
after a while he took a break took a piss came back
sat on his stool smiled at Andy ‘good to see you kid’
‘any requests?’ & climbed straight back into his gig
when his next beers came over he sent them to us
so we stayed a while listening to the hep cat play
until later the barman asked loud like who are the kids
bumming beers from the piano player all night long?’
when you hear that kind of tone you know it is time to go
we smiled & waved at the old man tickling the ivories
& he nodded pleased to be alone again with his skills
the last time I saw Andy I wish it was the time
we went wandering drunk searching the downtown bars
not the time he was crying in his drunk hours
talking about it was time to take his leave
neilbenbow 