Poems Submitted by Our Readers

The walking dead all gather here
To laugh and lie o’er shots and beer
While drowning out the thoughts and fears
Of wasted lives and squandered years.

The walking dead are jolly fools
Who rest upon decrepit stools
With yellowed smiles and pallid jewels.
I serve them with my barman’s tools.

To them I am a welcome sight.
I smile and ease their mortal plight,
And mix the drinks that bring delight
To get them through another night.

The walking dead each have a name.
I oft forget, but, just the same,
I know their drinks and why they came.
Tonight we’ll play our tragic game.

The walking dead will come to me
And I’ll pretend that I don’t see
The truth behind facades of glee,
That in the light they’d rather be.

The walking dead are my good pals.
Tonight I’ll greet the guys and gals
Who blithely revel and carouse
Until the mourning doves arouse.


Phillip Tindall (Copyright 1999)