TOMMY, I WISH YOU WELL

I was travelling south,
and I stopped for a thirst,
my back being stiff,
and my feet, well, cursed.
It was a small little pub,
like in many a village,
getting by on odd sales,
with allowance for spillage.

She was pulling my pint,
when Tommy walked in,
and spying this stranger,
he thrust a hand out, with a grin.
"Ah where ya been lad?" He cried,
"I haven't seen ya in years!,
have ya got a few bob,
we can share a few beers".

"Don't start me off"
She warned Tommy,
"Don't make me get rude",
as she glanced at my face,
to evaluate my mood.
"Now don't pay no heed mister,
never mind that old Codger,
he's a bit of a charmer,
a bit of a Dodger",
though she looked at me quite seriously,
her eyes were laughing with glee.

"It's quite all right miss" I stated,
with grim and dour pretence,
"Pour my friend a pint too,
I've a few extra pence".
I bid Tommy good health,
as I drank my pint back,
said I had to be going,
and picked up my pack.
As I glanced at the barmaid,
my eyes never betrayed me.

I walked by the next day,
and I heard Tommy's banter,
but the strangers cared not for ol' Tommy,
or the pint he was after.
I walked in the pub loudly,
and all eyes were on me,
my arms thrown up high,
my face lit up with glee,
I creid "Tommy is that you?,
it's been ages old boy!",
the whole pub looked confused,
as I hugged him with joy.

"Pull me two pints" I demanded,
"and play me a song,
'cause I'm with my friend Tommy,
and it's been far too long".
All the locals looked shocked,
and the strangers looked shaken,
they'd assume the old man a con,
and I had proved them mistaken.
But the greatest look of all,
was on ol' Tommy's face,
his back strengthened with pride,
his smile lit up the place.

She handed me our drinks,
her face lit up with joy,
She said "You've brought a smile to the heart,
of ol' Tommy boy.
In this pub, in this town,
you'll never be a stranger,
may the Saints bless your path,
and protect you from danger".

Well it's been several years now,
since I'd stopped in that place,
but every time I think back,
brings a smile to my face.
Will we ever meet again?
Well one never can tell,
until then all I'll say,
is "Tommy...
I wish you well".


The above poem was based on a true life encounter in a little village in the south of Ireland.