12 Bar Blues

Ive got two for you

This first I wrote a long time ago and never really finished. It was to be a song. I have several versions, this being the first. It is about a little hole in the wall that one might easily walk past without ever knowing it was there, yet it was a temporary home for a strange mix of college students, lost souls, poets, musicians, and artists.

All the characters in the poem are real, and some I still know.

Bistro Logic (The Cafe Bistro in Long Beach, CA)

The cigarette smoke hangs heavy as the jukebox plays a tune
That everyone remembers from their childhood days in June
When summer suns, and summer skies, were better than today
When life was free and simple, and we lived from day to day.

The pitchers stand like soldiers, as the regulars march in
The desperate, anxious hours past, and rituals begin...
Strategic placement of the coat, the book, the glass, the butt
To stake a claim from opening until the door is shut.

There's some who want the book-case, and some who love the bar
Still others who love foosball, and one's the jukebox star,
And every single person has a story they can spin
About the Cafe Bistro, and how it sucked them in.

As Faye adjusts her plastic hair, and Dave adjusts his eye,
Brian talks of politics with any passer by
Jenny comes for strangers but the faces never change
The regulars are friendly, but most are really strange

Some are rich, and some are poor, and some have gained or lost it
Some are bald, some are blind, some have hair that's frosted...
All are there as brothers in the family of beer
To drink away the hours until 2 am is here.

And when, at last, the dreaded words, "Last Call" are said by Faye
The regulars are slow to stand, and slow to go away.
There lingers for a moment just one hope of a reprieve
And then, when hope is gone at last, they all begin to leave.

The empty glasses soaking, the empty pitchers dry
The smoke is slowly clearing, from Faye, a quiet sigh
As memories of Dick drift past, then fade into the night
She walks, alone, toward the door, and switches off the light.
 
The Firefly

The Firefly (Just Off Hollywood)

Red vinyl booths.
Small tables, too small, with red vinyl chairs.
Jukebox glowing in the dim light.

Two men behind the bar,
Both dressed in black slacks,
Red shirts,
And black bow ties:
Identical twins.

One flips the little red stem of a lighter fluid can
Dragging it across the bar back metal.
The other, with a slight smile,
Produces a match.

Soon the bar is ablaze.
The few patrons, hazy eyed locals,
Turn slowly from their conversational cocktails
And cheer as if in slow motion.

As the flames subside, heavy lidded eyes
Turn back to the cool amber happiness
Awaiting their fevered lips.
 
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Tristesse said:
I'm here, where are you?
This buzzing smoke hides my eyes
and makes me weep.
I'm waiting, where are you?
Excuses fall like beer mats
into soggy puddles that
hold no water.
Accepting that you've stood me up,
knocked me off
my already unsteady pedestal
hurts like Hell.
I'm watched with pity
by the happy-hour crowd
who recognize the signs
of dejected rejection
and know the whole sad tale
I pay my tab and haul my sorry ass
out into the comforting night.




Heavens fertilizer-thats what they call the mid April Snow,
Tractormen plow in the dusk as we dreamwalk
Along that trail to the river.

Left? No, but there is slight shiver,
Where is the that woolen sweater?
That Intoxicates me with its touch.

The trail is open, slippery with months of withering frost.
My mind falls over like a barstool but Im miles from there-
Miles from anywhere.
Lost in a story.
 
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Work in progrss...give it time

Thick acrid smoke
The warm malt
Mellow mood
Bass man strumming
Slow and deep
The ivories casting a melodic sway

The whole bar’s movin’
Each mans’ drowning a sorrow

Joe in the corner
He’s missing a leg
Alf by the stage
He’s drowning a wife
Fred, he’s dead center
Been jobless a month
Poor Jon at the end
He’s dieing of cancer, alone
 
The Mule

Dear EagleEyez, I hardly think that referring to Angeline as "the mule" is very flattering, or productive toward your romantic homelife. Just my 2 cents!
 
Fflow said:
Dear EagleEyez, I hardly think that referring to Angeline as "the mule" is very flattering, or productive toward your romantic homelife. Just my 2 cents!

he he-

its a line from a six string, hung like a wheelbarrow against a dusty bookshelf and its about prayer. On my knees every morning if just for a moment. "Get behind the Mule and plow."

I know, I know, out there huh? I cannot take credit for all the words, its from "Mule Variations" by Tom Waits, you must know him, California person that you are. I am proud to say that I have his entire catalog. Since he got Sober and moved to Sonoma up north he has revealed his overarching belief in the promises.
And like so many, he found them, stringing days together one at a time.

BTW, She's jewish, Im a bhuddist catholic and my best pal is an atheist and we all see heaven in each others eyes. Bugs and hummingbirds are safe around our tribe.

Nice to meet you. As an old coot from California myself I enjoyed your songs and wish I could hear them played wet.

I will be in my hometown of SF for a few days in May after many years here in the far northeast. Wish mightily I had time to look everyone up. Maybe next time. Again, nice to meet you and hope you write when moved to do so. :)

T.
 
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Hey! I'm glad this thread got bumped! I never saw it before and I'm in love wid it already!
 
Fflow said:
Dear EagleEyez, I hardly think that referring to Angeline as "the mule" is very flattering, or productive toward your romantic homelife. Just my 2 cents!

Now see, Fflow I knew exactly what he was talking about. And there was a personal meaning intended by it that I assure you had nothing to do with mules or um (averting eyes from your av) asses or anything like that.

But then I'm fluent in eagleyez. It's my second language. :)
 
Mule Variations

I am a Waits fan, although not a fanatical one. I have some of his CDs, not all, and like some far more than others. Of the ones I have I most love Frank's Wild Years. To me, it is less about music and morer about theater.

As for your quote, and my taking it out of context, that's just my perverted humor. I know. It is stupid and adolescent but, hey, if the shoe fits...

My wife is an ex-catholic metaphysical spiritualist studying Science of Mind. I am an ex-jew humanist determinist liberal skeptic born under the sign of Aries.

My Mantra: Remember in each moment that no moment is more precious than this one.

Angeline is a true gem of a human being. That means you must be too. It is, indeed, a small miracle that the universe conspired to bring the two of you together.

Enjoy your trip home, and back home again.

P&B!

srw
 
Fflow said:
I am a Waits fan, although not a fanatical one. I have some of his CDs, not all, and like some far more than others. Of the ones I have I most love Frank's Wild Years. To me, it is less about music and morer about theater.

As for your quote, and my taking it out of context, that's just my perverted humor. I know. It is stupid and adolescent but, hey, if the shoe fits...

My wife is an ex-catholic metaphysical spiritualist studying Science of Mind. I am an ex-jew humanist determinist liberal skeptic born under the sign of Aries.

My Mantra: Remember in each moment that no moment is more precious than this one.

Angeline is a true gem of a human being. That means you must be too. It is, indeed, a small miracle that the universe conspired to bring the two of you together.

Enjoy your trip home, and back home again.

P&B!

srw

And I'm a jewish gemini who grew up in an italian catholic working class neighborhood. A friend once told me I could play a bit part on The Sopranos. lol.

But I don't have an accent. I don't. Really. :D
 
Fflow said:
I am a Waits fan, although not a fanatical one. I have some of his CDs, not all, and like some far more than others. Of the ones I have I most love Frank's Wild Years. To me, it is less about music and morer about theater.

As for your quote, and my taking it out of context, that's just my perverted humor. I know. It is stupid and adolescent but, hey, if the shoe fits...

My wife is an ex-catholic metaphysical spiritualist studying Science of Mind. I am an ex-jew humanist determinist liberal skeptic born under the sign of Aries.

My Mantra: Remember in each moment that no moment is more precious than this one.

Angeline is a true gem of a human being. That means you must be too. It is, indeed, a small miracle that the universe conspired to bring the two of you together.

Enjoy your trip home, and back home again.

P&B!

srw

Seeing Tom live is truly a theatric marvel.

Thanks for the wishes on the trip. I have to go buy new duds for the wedding I am attending. I may have forgotten how to tie a tie. :confused: :)


And you are spot on regarding Ange. Im glad I stumbled into this asylum when I did. ;)
 
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eagleyez said:
Seeing Tom live is truly a theatric marvel.

Thanks for the wishes on the trip. I have to go buy new duds for the wedding I am attending. I may have forgotten how to tie a tie. :confused: :)


And you are spot on regarding Ange. Im glad I stumbled into this asylum when I did. ;)

I liked ya cuz ya wrote a good poem.

As you know.

:)
 
eagleyez said:
Hi Boo-LTNS-

Hope all is well!! :rose:

Hiya ee!! I'm doin pretty well. It's everyone around me who's falling apart. And I threw out my Effexor too soon, so I'm waiting to crash and burn, but that's actually very much closer to real life for me anyway. When my mind is in chaos I feel like I'm at home in my skin.

But...

I have, of course, heard of Tom Waits. But I don't know if I've ever heard him. Actually, remembering back to my commune days I know I've heard him, and theres a sweet soulful love song niggling way back in my mind, but I can't catch it. Any hints?

Hey Ange! I'm moving to Dover Pennsylvania next week! Not your stomping grounds, I know, but still closer to 'up nawth'!
 
BooMerengue said:
Hiya ee!! I'm doin pretty well. It's everyone around me who's falling apart. And I threw out my Effexor too soon, so I'm waiting to crash and burn, but that's actually very much closer to real life for me anyway. When my mind is in chaos I feel like I'm at home in my skin.

But...

I have, of course, heard of Tom Waits. But I don't know if I've ever heard him. Actually, remembering back to my commune days I know I've heard him, and theres a sweet soulful love song niggling way back in my mind, but I can't catch it. Any hints?

Hey Ange! I'm moving to Dover Pennsylvania next week! Not your stomping grounds, I know, but still closer to 'up nawth'!

Hi sweetie! :kiss:

Tom Waits is for many people an acquired taste but he is a brilliant musician and poet, imho. And did you know he wrote Jersey Girl? ;)

Here's my favorite Waits song; it almost makes you cry when you hear it--it's that beautiful and wistful.

I Can't Wait to Get Off Work
(And See My Baby on Montgomery Avenue)

Well I don't mind working
cause I used to be jerkin off
most of my time in the bars
I been a cabbie and a stock clerk
and a soda fountain jock jerk
and a manic mechanic on cars
It's nice work if you can get it
now who the hell said it
I got money to spend on my gal
but the work never stops
and I'll be busting my chops
working for Joe and Sal.

And I can't wait to get off work
and see my baby
she said she'd leave the porch lite
on for me
I'm disheveled I'm disdainful
and I'm distracted and it's painful
but this job sweeping up here is
is gainfully employing me tonight

Tom do this Tom do that
Tom, don't do that
count the cash, clean the oven
dump the trash oh your lovin
is a rare and a copasetic gift
and I'm a moonlight watchmanic
it's hard to be romantic
(sweeping up over by the
cigarette machine
sweeping up over by the cigarette machine...)

I can't wait to get off work
and see my baby
she'll be waiting up with a magazine for me
clean the bathrooms, clean um good
oh your lovin I wish you would
come down here and sweepmeoffmyfeet
this broom'll have to be my baby
if I hurry, I just might
get off before the dawns early light.

*******
--sigh
 
The Blue Note Club

A twelve steps shuffle-down
from neon heaven
into blinking darkness
gets you buzz and jazz.
the news is out
we got our licence
now you can lace
your coffee legally

Tonight is a homage
to Mulligan and Baker
a worshipful crowd won't dance
to these tunes the ears
have it.

By midnight the lips
go cracking notes
no joke but still they play
like pros and we stay
late though it is we
have to work tomorrow too.
 
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Oh Jazz...

Tristesse said:
A twelve steps shuffle-down
from neon heaven
into blinking darkness
gets you buzz and jazz.
the news is out
we got our licence
now you can lace
your coffee legally

Tonight is a homage
to Mulligan and Baker
a worshipful crowd won't dance
to these tunes the ears
have it.

By midnight the lips
go cracking notes
no joke but still they play
like pros and we stay
late though it is we
have to work tomorrow too.


Cutting contest blares.
Sun pops its eyes awake
and sighs. The night
is still young here
where Brute whispers
four-four tatoos.

Wake up Miss Marylou!
Hey Kittty-Kat,
Hey Miss Indigo,

come out and strut
your alley eyes. Night
never dies. Count tasted midnight
till blues faded gray. Come out
and play your finger walk. Come out
and talk good news. Call and respond,
fall in the hues of Minton's,
Small's is paradise, come now
while Hawk is blowin hard,
while Prez slides swing
as smooth as ice. Come out
now. Papa Joe is brushing
stardust, mixing Nawlins
into Harlem hot as summer
beans and rice.

:heart:
 
He's sniiffing at the antiseptic
lite beer, non-smoking,
no swearing atmosphere.
Remembering when
it was acceptable to make
the blue air bluer
to order pickled eggs and pork rinds
without turning heads
OK to spill a bit without
the wipe-up cloth slapping the table
to drive home drunk weaving
tales of unavoidable last minute
hold-ups to the harried wives.
Now the life's gone out
lite life, non-living, no fun, low fat
he says through gritted teeth.
Shuffling uneasily, we smile,
indulge him his memories.
Yes, it was better back then.
 
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Tristesse2 said:
Bumping this because it produced some worthy stuff and I told Ange I would.

It's a great place for a pub crawl. You never know who you'll meet.

:heart:
 
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