the debate


old three-whisker charley said
so matter-of-factly,
"go jump in a pile of shit."
being bigger, stronger, and
older besides, he smiled,
ever-so-pleased with his toothless self,
thinking he'd won the debate.

i took a good slug of ale,
wiped my mouth with my sleeve,
pausing ever-so-slightly
for to emphasize,
and said right back at him,
"i bet you wouldn't say that
if i was a fly."
then so matter-of-factly
i belched, strolled out of the bar
and left
old three-whisker charley
bewildered as hell
still trying to figure it out.

© Mark E. Dougherty