A Shadow Dancer On The Road To Alcohol

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icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

0 posted 2003-06-08 01:25 AM

In an old road house
just outside of town,
on Friday nights
and pay days
or when bad weather was around,
some codgers
and dodgers,
and good old boy reevers,
would pick up from last week
their ongoing project of drinking their lives away.
One day out of nowhere,
in through the front door
came a thirtyish woman, well dressed
with big hair.

"OK boys!  Who's next?"
Her voice called out
from the bar's back room.
Throaty and hoarse,
tobacco hard whiskey scarred,
with just a little hint of weary,
not the edgy babe, leery of police
with big hair and tiny skirt,
she'd been
when she'd first announced
she'd take all comers, of course
she'd been at it now for hours.
All she'd asked for was a wash cloth,
a basin,
two shots of mezcal an hour,
no hitting,
or biting,
she wasn't into pain,
she was just chasing her own demons
like running after summer's rainbows in the rain.
I guess she didn't want to take the trip alone.

Someone said she was from the better part of town
and was cranked at the clown she had married;
something about his new office help,
but I didn't follow the point.
Someone else said, "Hey who cares,
she really ain't half bad for this joint."
At that, a rummy prince had growled,
"When was the last time you even saw a broad
come in this joint?"

The first hour or so it seemed like a race
to see who could do her quick
just to get back in line again,
waiting until she was free,
after that, it was hurry
grab a fresh drink
and not miss the game on TV.
From kickoff to halftime
even the barkeep stepped in for a couple of tries.
See, these were the steadies, the drunk rough and readies,
really the classiest guys.
She didn't care
I could see in her eyes.
cold empty eyes with a shine
after one final poke I gave her a smoke
she lied and said, "That was divine."

She was a mess by the time she was done;
she'd pick up her car the next day
she grabbed her coat with a stagger,
waved to the boys as she swayed
and had to be helped to the door.
I called her a cab and walked her outside,
she asked if I wanted some more.
I said, "No thank you Ma'am,
I got to be getting along."
"Your loss big boy,"
she laughed at me hard
getting into the car,
"see you later on down the road."
I watched them drive off
and turned back toward the bar
I needed to drink something strong.

© 2003 by icebox

littlewing
Member Rara Avis

since 2003-03-02

Posts 9655
New York

1 posted 2003-06-08 03:04 AM

Goodness ice - this one hurt to read . . .

amazing writing evenso
xxoo

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

2 posted 2003-06-08 03:44 AM

damn!

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

3 posted 2003-06-08 11:00 AM

Ummm...sorry, Ladies; I did not mean anything personal.

If I can't help someone re-think their choices, then the least I can do is try to help them get out alive.

Thanks for reading my poem.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

4 posted 2003-06-08 11:31 AM

she was just chasing her own demons
like running after summer's rainbows in the rain.
I guess she didn't want to take the trip alone.
====================================

I know "her" well ... shes not so different from the rest of us.....

impactful write poet sir. well done.

Im still imagining your voice ...
can see the sparkle in your eyes.
I cant explain your power over me
Its understated understood & beautiful.
cj

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

5 posted 2003-06-08 11:36 AM

oh my
chasing demons gets rougher sometimes

what a storyteller you are
of reality that bites

glad you didn't bite her

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

6 posted 2003-06-08 01:20 PM

I feel you have known a very colorful life, and am enjoying reading about it in the skill in which you present your craft. Excellent write.

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

7 posted 2003-06-09 01:14 AM

Janet Marie ~ I think "she" is not as uncommon as many would like to believe; even in today's potentially deadly social world.  Men act as a closed society when possible, although a woman can change that simply by showing up.  This little scene actually was put together from three different women and three different events, but quite frankly, I have never understood the choice the woman makes and I am looking through a good half century of self-destructive behavior of my own.  Thank you for reading and sharing your insights.  I appreciate it.

Midnitesun ~ Yes, chasing demons is an expense indulgence; I thought perhaps I should put a warning on this that said, "Kids, don't try this at home."

All celts are story tellers; that part is easy.  And, no I don't bite and I don't hit; I don't like causing pain, there are too many ways to share pleasure without pain. *smile*

Thank you for reading this poem and for your comments; I value your opinion.

Mysteria ~ Some one once told me I had lived a life less ordinary than most.  I was in my forties I think before I realized what that meant.  I was busy for a lot of it and for me it was just life.  There are a few stories I wish I could tell, but I can't.  I think sometimes that is why I tell the ones I am free to share.  Thank you for reading this un-pretty poem and for your kind comments.

gyiel marlok
Member

since 2003-06-08

Posts 145
OHIO

8 posted 2003-06-09 04:58 PM

icebox,hell yeah, that is the real deal right there,awesome,strictly awesome.

Selina
Member

since 2003-06-07

Posts 62
Philadelphia, PA, USA

9 posted 2003-06-09 05:07 PM

icebox,
I have read several of your poems so far, but was too speechless to post a reply. I'm still not sure what to say, but I had to post and tell you what a remarkable talent you are. I am truly touched by the beautiful words put forth from your pen/keyboard. Your poems, make me think, ponder, wonder.. and want to know more. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts.

Cpat Hair

Member Patricius

since 2001-06-05

Posts 11793

10 posted 2003-06-09 05:18 PM

Mr Ice... this side of human behavior and our own ways of self destruction..are not so strange as to be alien. Substitute your poison.. sex, work, booze, drugs, anger.... and the story is the same, just the means change...
you tell it well... and of course now I'd like to hear the stories you can't tell... you tell me yours and I'll tell you mine.. lol.

seriously... good writing.

Patricia
Member Elite

since 2003-04-06

Posts 2160
Missouri

11 posted 2003-06-09 07:43 PM

Mr. Icebox,

I love your stories...you have so much to share. I wish I had more to give. My young life was caught between the plastic of disco and Reaganomics and junk bonds. Oh...sounds like a poem. LOL

Patricia

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

12 posted 2003-06-09 07:45 PM

Fantastic write...so very much enjoyed!!
~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

13 posted 2003-06-10 10:02 AM

I think you got my share of storytelling ability... and I've more than enough Scot to want it back! LOL

Seriously... you paint your word-pictures so vividly we're there... willing voyeurs pulled in, that shuffle out on reluctant feet when the last word is reached... Great write!

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

14 posted 2003-06-10 03:02 PM

Provocative write....

Susan C.

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant

since 2000-04-26

Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium

15 posted 2003-06-10 04:37 PM

your writing compares to wealth

the more you see (read) it the more you want of it

thanks for sharing
sudhir

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

16 posted 2003-06-10 07:18 PM

gyiel marlok ~ I am glad you enjoyed this poem.

Selina ~ Be careful about that thinking stuff!  It can lead to ideas!!!!!   *GRIN* Thank you for reading my poem and for your comments.

Cpat Hair ~ I know you are right.  It is a weakness in my cognitive field I guess.  There just are some behaviors which do not make sense to me.  It has nothing to do with right or wrong.  It isn't moralistic for me; I suppose I would choose a different path.  You are right also that at some level all self-destructive behaviors are the same.

Thank you for reading my poem and, again, for your insightful comments.

Patricia ~ Yes, definitely you should write a poem about that! *smile* You could even have a junk bond dog in it!  Thank you for reading this and for your comments.

Enchantress ~ Well, I am glad you enjoyed this poem.  Thanks for the hug.

suthern ~ Listen, if you are a Scot then that story gene is in there someplace, really!  Thank you for your kind comments.

Susan Caldwell ~ Uh-oh, I didn't provoke you did I? *grin* Thank you for reading this poem and for taking time to comment.

Sudhir lyer ~ No one has ever said exactly that about my work before.  Thank you.

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