With rain and the calm
rumble of distant
thunder outside,
it is comforting
to be inside
this place among
human voices
and several drinks,
knowing that when
I leave a most
charming young lady
will smile and say
“Be careful”
then turn away
to chat with the man
who holds a crisp
new dollar bill
in his hand.

Bob Carlton (Twitter @bobcarlton3) lives, works, and drinks in Leander, TX.