hip hop

I may not be hip
but i am certainly hoppy
i may be indian pale,
brown or golden
but always on
the bitter side
i am an ale
an ageless ale

I used to be
brewed by alewives
with secret mixtures
of herbs and spice
sweet gale and sage
and the sap of pine
a bit of wormwood
and yarrow and broom

I have been safe to drink
for the belligerent knights;
at their tables
when the water was stale
and truly a danger
but did not last on long trips
with lone sailors
and could not shorten their travels

then hops came along
and i got a new life
infused with the youth
of ginger and orange
i am an ale,
be bitter or sweet
I may not be hip
but i am certainly hoppy