The Two Nation America

The Two Nation America It was in Huston some years ago my ship was being repaired, it was a dry ship – no alcohol allowed- its skipper was teetotal we had to be too, petty tyranny. I walked ashore to liquor store. It was a poor district where roads and pavements had been neglected. Factories closed down, no point spending money on people who didn’t work. I felt nervous by those leering black faces thought they were ready to rob me and steal my booze. The store a place, young men grouped, seeing me going in made acid remarks about my whiteness, they made grunting noses. To ask for wine was a waste of time, bourbon and beer, I bought four bottles of vodka and a bottle of seven up to dispel the idea I came here for thr booze alone. Coming out of the store I saw a blue lettered bar across the road it had air-condition, I had a beer and later many more. Then it was dawn time to go on board. a cruising patrol car stopped, to tell me I was lucky to be alive, yet I had four bottles of vodka in a bag; and yes, a bottle coca cola too.