welcome back

this last drink was as
good as the first,
I now realize that the promises
I've made to myself
have been
kept.
that's plenty.
that last: about the promises:
what's not so good is that you've
now lost a friend.
as for woman, you didn't know enough
early enough
and you knew enough
too late.
and if more self-analysis is allowed: it's
nice that you turned out well-
honed,
that you arrived late
and remained generally
capable.
outside of that, not much to say
except you can leave without
regret.
until then, a bit more amusement,
a bit more endurance
leaning back
into this.

like the dog who got across
the busy street:
not all of it was good
lucky baby.