Smig, drinking at the Timber Lanes bar,
Makes a feeble dumbshow of his face
Toward whomever – myself and others,
For Smig is well loved there – he makes
A feeble dumbshow if anybody inquires
What his problem is or why does he look
So very sad just now as if his best friend
Died or he got laid off that day from his
Union plumbing job until at last Anika,
The female bartender, also well-loved,
Asks with a wary compassionate mien,
‘Has the cat got your tongue tonight
Or something?' and Smigelski answers
'I bowled like shit! Goddamn it! Fuck!'