He probably had a good voice
before he hit the grog.
he knows all the words but
now they’re slurred
running into each other
lubricated by cheap plonk.
Sitting on the footbridge at Hornsby
guitar out of tune
manky hair and dirty clothes
abusing travellers
who won’t toss cash into his guitar case
he sings Summertime off key
as punishment.
He’s angry with everyone
scared he may be sober
when night comes
scared he will remember
how he got here…
Just a couple of bucks for a bottle?