The Contest of Strength

We were drinking in the back
After closing up the store
That old spirit in my throat
A spirit for every occasion
The contest of strength
In the rain, beneath the stairs
Transmuting all the faces
In the crippled weekend air
Celebration
Celebration
Celebration
Celebration
The stories all were said
We sank deep in our clothes
Leaning long into each other’s words
Until the bars were closed
Daniel stole because he could
I breathed out through my nose
A bright and sudden pain came up
And killed the spirit in my throat
Celebration
Celebration
Celebration
Celebration
He came out of his car
Swinging wide the pipe
I backed against a wall
Some mumbled supplication
Running with head hung
Daniel ran my way
He laughed hard and resumed the conversation
Celebration
Celebration
Celebration
Celebration