HAPPY HOUR GHAZEL

by Linda Malm

Taos tourists crowd the local inn at the bar. 

They people watch and jostle at the bar. 

Bermudas, sweaters, shawls and beaded jeans,

grow friendly as they guzzle at the bar.

Weak stock, Harleys, childcare, loss of job—

There’s personal shared counsel at the bar.

A man with a cell phone to his face

intends to film a pretzel at the bar.

The retro waitress stops to talk Iran.

She’s cheered by every liberal at the bar.

A British girl and Native man walk in.

A magic soul (she'll tattle at the bar).

Blue tights are working for a woman's legs. 

She smiles at men who ogle at the bar. 

Few listen to the jazz that brought them in,

but this new band helps dazzle at the bar. 

The action makes my Linda hug a man,   

both trying to stay hopeful at the bar.