Gratitude

going to see
my favorite Irish folk punk band
was not the endurance contest that i feared
it could have been

but there were moments

especially when they sang
three "whiskey" songs
in a row

i never liked whiskey
but i thought about vodka

clean and clear
ordered by the double
with club soda and lime
served in a pint glass

the taste of so many summers
so many falls
winters and springs

i shrugged those memories off
clapped my hands and shook my ass
to the music

when the show was over
i left

now i am home
with my DVD collection
my lemongrass green tea
and my vegan tacos

i made it through another night

so
for another morning
instead of looking in the mirror
and saying "fuck you"
i can say "thank you"