The spirit of my dad helped me today,
and I responded by telling him I would
send a crisp gin and tonic his way, and 
he smiled down on me, and I said, 
I will send 2, one for you and one for John,
my father-in-law passed, and then I said 3, 
one for Uncle Rocco, and another for Aunt Aida, 
and two for each Aunt Millie, and Mom, and Cousin Joe, 
and then I lost count

I'll just keep sending up shakers and lime
until you tell me enough

I hear a Hurrah
at the tip of my 
crisp, tart knowing
they're there

Salud, old friends

cc: Chagall 2021