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Hemingway Revisits Sloppy Joe's - 1999
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Hemingway Revisits Sloppy Joe's - 1999 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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(Sloppy Joe's in Key West was Hemingway's favorite bar at the height of his writing career. This is a depiction of what would happen if Ernie were to rise and see the old waterin' hole now......) Why, hello, Ernie! Been a while Since you have stopped by here. Sit down on your favorite stool And let me pour the beer. We heard that you were dead but 'Round here everybody knows That, if you ever reappeared, You'd come to Sloppy Joe's. What's that? There's been some changes? It's a while since you been gone And nobody knows more than you That life keeps movin' on New babies come and old men leave 'Cause that's the way life goes, But Time stands still for men like you And bars like Sloppy Joe's. The music? Well, they call it rock. Not much more I can say. I know it's not the mellow tunes We handled in your day... But the college kids who fill the bar Aren't hep to none of those So we adjust and stay alive With this - at Sloppy Joe's. All the people in here now Are from the tourist boats. Whatsamatter, Ernie? You got something in your throat? Have another beer. In days gone by Your arm was never slow. Many a day from dawn to dusk You spent at Sloppy Joe's. Want a bite to eat? A little snack? We built a restaurant Right in the corner at the back With anything you want. Burritos, nachos, tacos For the benefit of those Who build an appetite while Spending time at Sloppy Joe's. But let me tell you, Ernie, Although time goes marching on We never for a second have Forgot our favorite son. The genius of the written word, The paragon of prose, The man who graced our portals Daily here at Sloppy Joe's. Look around and you will find Your pictures are displayed On that far wall right beside The video arcade. And, over here, we built a store With all things tourists want Like T-shirts, hats and banners With your picture on the front. Are those tears I see of gratitude? No need for none of those. We do it gladly for the man Who's king of Sloppy Joe's. You're leaving us so soon, my friend? You need to buy a gun? Your skin's a trifle pale so Be careful of the sun. And, when you pass this way again, Stop by and say hello. We'll let the old times live again At your favorite Sloppy Joe's. |
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| © Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Even Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein would be proud of you, Balladeer - I particularly like this one, considering that I'm teaching both The Old Man and the Sea and The Sun Also Rises to my summer-school kids...  |
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Poetwheel Member
since 1999-07-07
Posts 208Canada |
I like this one too. Ernies a little taken by all the modernism and commercialism, but hey, he's dead! Time rolls on. I think I get your point though, and many times I've wished I had been born 2 decades earlier, in simpler times... PW ------------------ Poetic Wheelbarrow |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
And to think, in 20 or 30 years people will look back and say that today we lived in a simpler time. It is always a pleasure read your fine works. |
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elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
although Hemingway is not one of my favorites, your poem made me long for days gone by as well ------------------ i never call a poem "nice" or such, for that would not be saying much |
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Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
A great tribute Balladeer. Excellent as always! It's not about a time gone by This thing that saddens you and I It's not about loud rock and roll Or tourists on a sunburned stroll It has to do with rugged lives And fishermen and wayward wives And Islanders with deadly knives The man is gone, the place survives... Viva Papa! sandman |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you all and, Fred.......brilliant!!! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
This poem bothered me. That's why I didn't post a reply right away. This is such a statement of life - here in Hemingway's reaction to the changes he sees. We can never go back! I think we should take each day as a precious gift - use it fully, because someday, it will be gone. |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
this one is just too good to let slip away actually thought i'd posted on it when 1st i read it i was delighted and readin again no less delight |
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