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Open Poetry #16
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Diner Days....rehashed
| Open Poetry #16 |
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Diner Days....rehashed |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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At times when my mind wanders and Imagination strays I think back to that time that I Recall as "diner days". There's something to a diner that Defines it as unique. It is not for the faint of heart, The nervous or the weak. A diner has a flavor and A laid-back atmosphere. There's something in the air that says "All friends are welcome here". The eggs are always smokin', Bacon sizzles on the grill And coffe don't stop pourin' 'Till the drinker's had his fill. It's the home of red-eye gravy And grits and rhubarb pies Where steaks are always cooked well-done And all things come with fries. The waitresses wear bluejeans with Their hair tied in a bun. Their average weight's 235 And everybody's "Hon". There's country on the juke box And menus on the walls. The bathrooms all have jokes and numbers Written in the stalls. Don't gripe at any waitress Or you've got no 'diner class'. Just take a rag and wipe off Any lipstick on your glass. Old-timers sit in back booths. They commit the perfect crime BY sipping on their coffee all Night long, just killing time. The truckers going somewhere And the broken dreamers, not - All drink the same black coffee pouring From the diner pot. A diner's not a place to eat. A diner is a town. A diner is a way of life That never lets you down. My life has since moved uptown as The years passed in a blur. I frequent now the restaurants Where waiters call me Sir. But still my thoughts race back to Those days when life was fun And I'd trade the "Sirs" and "Madames" for A smiling "Hiya, hon!". |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Dee Member Elite
since 2000-08-19
Posts 2330Queensland, Australia |
Wow Michael, you almost had me feeling like I was sitting there in the diner with you.  Dee I wish you every happiness and may you always have the best of the good things in life. a brand |
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sunshinemist Senior Member
since 2001-09-29
Posts 595Fl. sunshines early mist |
Michael, this was a great write!! I loved it! Wish we still had those wonderful places. Remember Royal Castles too? ~hugs~   smiles ~Marie~ |
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Trillium 
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
This brought back a few memories. Pass the ketsup please! Betty Lou Hebert |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ Oh, gosh ... I grew up hanging out with my dad in a few of these wonderfully nostalgic places. My favorite was - 'The Spot Diner' - a little hole-in-the-wall that was so warm and cozy, you'd almost swear it was home~ Thank you for the stroll down memory lane, Hon~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Balladeer - "Hiya Hon." I'll have another cup of java if you'll sit with me. This is just a charming tribute to the diner. I enjoyed it very much. Chris Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away. |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
*giggling* this is so wonderfully delightful with your very special touch to make it perfect. Hugs to you, sweet Balladeer. Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Dee..thank you! Sounds like a wonderful idea  Marie..Sure I do! Who can forget the belly-bombers!?!?!  They're a little harder to find now,,,but they still exist Trillium...LOL! Coat them fries!! Marge..You could be the poster girl for diners...and I say that as a compliment. Down-home, friendly, no-nonsense, get what ya pay for and treat me right or hit the door, buster......diners and you  Nightshade...count on it! It would be my pleasure, lady |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh Michael .... what a wonderful poem! I simply smiled ALLLLLLL the way through. You painted such wonderful visuals throughout this perfectly flowing verse, and had me sitting right in my favorite diner enjoying a good old cheeseburger and fries. I swear, I can still smell them now ... geez, I love your writing ... did I ever tell you that? Best wishes and big hugs, /Kit |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
...and thank you, dear Startime. You want ham or bacon with those eggs? Kit...you sweet gal! Any diner would be honored to have you sitting there Those cheeseburgers have the smell of heaven, don't they? Thank you, lady  [This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 10-15-2001).] |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
i've had a wonderful time in diner once but that's another poem....*smile*.... the real people are in diners and poolhalls.... i've been saying that for years... only you've said it much better than i ever could have wonderful poem, sweet Poet. |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Nuthin' could be finer than bein' inna greasy diner In the mornin..... As usual, ya described a great waffle house there ya old fart....hope you're doin well and maintainin' mostly during all this terrorist crap....take care...luv Toe |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
*giggling* got any Canadian hickory, smoked bacon? giggling Hugs sweet man... you are just too wonderful. I have missed your fun loving nature.Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Even your leftovers never grow mold... Enjoyed the hash! |
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Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
Oh Deer, I just feel like I'm sitting at that diner with ya!!! Actually, I was at a diner/truck stop with my father the other week, and it was exactly like this...even down to the waitress calling me "hon". But this also brings back my days of the diners in England where you get the greatest of breakfasts....bacon, sausage, egg, baked beans and FRIED BREAD. Now I now most of you would say "who the hell would eat fried bread?" but...don't knock it til you've tried it. It'll probably knock a few years off my life, but who cares. Life is meant to be LIVED!!!!! If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please? |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Memories of those pies sitting on the counter under glass...mouth watering while wondering if I could have one.....Pecan Pie and a spoon of ice cream on top.....Coffee that never stopped...NEVER...Oh yes, give me the Hon, take away the sir. I liked this poem very much....thanx. |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
'Deer I'd eat anywhere with you you know how I am but don't you take me somewhere where they don't serve me spam I want it in the morning with my fresh squeezed juice I want it for my dinner it's better than a chocolate mousse It can be at some diner quaintly tucked away or it can be at the finest all you can eat buffet I'm game sweet Balladeer you know that I am but remember to take me where they serve up spam ** * I loved your poem |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Oh Deer' I just loved this one!! Well, I love diners and truck stops and CB radios and the whole bit ya know? Real greasy spoon dinin'. Now that there is real chow! You're full when you leave one of those places...no too many left though. Kinda gone the way of the drive-in restaurants and gals on roller skates..know what I mean? Oh dear Deer' I have gone ramblin on here...so sorry....excellent write! Double bubble kisses, Nancy. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Doreen...yep, the people are real there. The only thing put on is...the coffee Toerag...your appearance would MAKE it greasy! (but your appearance here is always a pleasure ) Good to see you out of the home, old-timer Startime...I'm very fond of Canadian...bacon Sunshine..heavenly hash? Glad you think so! Thank you!! Tracey...I couldn't agree more! Hey, with some of the things you guys eat over there, fried bread is tame!   Magnus...pecan pie a la mode! You DO know your diners! I thank you....SEA....Don't worry, sweetheart! Where do you think I learned about the beauty of Spam in the first place? I would take you anywhere... Enchantress...I KNEW you were my kinda gal! I'd love to take ya to one but I've got a date with Nightshade |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
A diner's not a place to eat. A diner is a town. A diner is a way of life That never lets you down. My life has since moved uptown as The years passed in a blur. I frequent now the restaurants Where waiters call me Sir. I knew from the title that I'd like this. I wasn't dissapointed. One I remember called simply, 'The Diner' had the best hot roast beef sandwiches I will ever eat...and that was when I was fifteen. Then there was the Ensley Grill that had the most incredible yeast rolls. I could go on and on... |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
'Deer - This brings back fond memories - I recall the time Lorelei and I stopped in at a diner. We ordered coffee, then, upon looking around, my Lorelei said, "And I'll have mine in a CLEAN cup." When the waitress came with the coffee, she said, "Which one of you wanted the clean cup?" lol This poem is a Balladeer poem. And that's good. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
"Hiya, hon!"...we still hear that around here in our diners.....nice memories... ~Wynter "The worst prison would be a closed heart". |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I was already hungry from the diner menu... and then sweet Toe pops in for a visit! *G* (But there's no diner around and Toe runs too fast... what's a gal to do? *EG*) Deer One, some poems are harder on the digestion than diners could ever be ('specially some of my stinkers LOL) but yours are a delight for the senses on every read... I loved this before... love it still. *S* Now... could you dish up some hot biscuits and red eye gravy? *G* |
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Tennessee Angel Senior Member
since 2000-06-03
Posts 661Tennessee |
Ah, Balladeer, this brings back memories. My dad was a truck driver and I would go on runs with him and we'd hit every small town diner across the country. That was his idea of "good eatin'". I love this! |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
This is a wonderful poem. And, I miss those diner days, too. |
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Jon Mewett Senior Member
since 2000-03-04
Posts 1304 |
Over here in the UK we used to call them 'greasy spoons'there's still a few but you have to search them out. They do have a timeless quality about them prerhaps it's the fact that the food's been there an awful long time.  Nostalgia I love it. Stay warm and fed Jon All these moments In time Will be Lost Like Tears in the rain [This message has been edited by Jon Mewett (edited 10-16-2001).] |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
I'm kinda sorta sorry about this, Sir Balladeer, but reading your poem about idyllic diners, which one can still sometimes find, put me in mind of something I wrote some time ago....um....reposted from 6 in response. Can I get a coffee refill? |
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BloomingRose Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092Florida |
Pour me another cup of coffee! I'll take the good days of diners and social fun, over the elegance of "fancy," any ole day! Pass the biscuits and honey please. Deb |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Balladeer- Well, hiya, hon! I know I'm a little late, but did I make it in time for breakfast? I'm LOVING this little flash to the past! HUGS~ ~Vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, |
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Mary Anne New Member
since 2010-05-27
Posts 9TX |
you would like the fine-dining we have here in redneckville, TX, Mr. B. I believe my first introduction to you was at Lucy's Cafe. LOL! I love your true-to-life poetry....honest and real. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, Mary Anne. That's what diners are....honest and real. Pass the red-eye gravy, please |
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