I walked down to the local inn

and took up a corner seat,

The day had been hot, the work had been hard,

I owed myself a treat.

I glanced up at the barman

Our eyes locked for a while,

"Would it be a Guinness sir?"

he asked with a genial smile.

I nodded in agreement

and watched the liquid slowly drawn,

Strong and black and beautiful,

with a collar creamy fawn.

He placed it on a tin bar tray

and brought it round to me,

We exchanged the coins requested

to complete that ceremony.

I watched the liquid settle,

it was so definite, so bold,

Then I reached out and caressed the glass

that held that liquid gold.

I lifted it so gently, paused,

then placed it to my lips,

A silent toast ran through my mind,

"Success over life's hardships."

As the liquid hit my taste buds,

a message raced to my brain,

"This my son, is Heaven"

in one draught my glass did drain.

The peace, the relaxation

that accompanied that wondrous brew,

Is certainly an experience

that I can recommend to you.

Could you taste it, could you feel it,

could your imagination hold

That picture of my Guinness,

so inviting when it's cold.

Did it slake your thirst as it did mine,

that evening in May,

You don't have to be a genius,

but you will be if you listen to what I say.

When the day is hot and the work is done

and the car's parked on the drive,

Walk down to your local

and experience being alive.

Just take up 'the position'

sitting down or on your feet,

And order up a Guinness, go on,

give yourself a treat.

I joined the Guinness connoisseurs,

the first time I saw it poured,

There's an art in drawing Guinness,

an art that I applaud.

There's a gentleness, a patience,

there's a promise as it flows,

You cannot take your eyes of it,

as that promise grows and grows.

You participate from the moment

that you order up this brew,

And then you take the 'starring' role,

as the Guinness is past to you.

You raise your glass up to your lips,

pause, make your silent toast,

And just before you leave the inn,

raise the last glass to your host.

 

SLAINTE