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Lunch At Johnny's
| Open Poetry #31 |
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Lunch At Johnny's |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
I decided to have lunch at Johnny’s Since it was raining so hard I figured going home tonight Was the thing to do rather than sit and have one or two Waiting to see if the Lord walked in and wanted to chat. Cheeseburger med rare and fries, a coke to drink Too early for me to have a beer, work called me back And they didn’t approve of me smelling like Auggies test drain When I was supposed to be pondering difficult equations And making progress on projects that needed me to use a full brain. The old dude who walked in was soaked Easy enough to get that way today But he dripped like he had been a sponge Someone had left on the sink without wringing out Till he moved, then one would have thought him More a sprinkler. He almost looked like a dog when shook, Sending water drops flying and giving the crowd A sheepish look as he glanced around for a place to sit. “I Like that Blue Sweater.” He said to me as he stood looking down on my lunch, half eaten and now forgotten as I was taken back to an encounter in New Orleans and Doc who had looked at me with those eyes and told me he knew I knew how it was to know… “Thanks” I offered and tried to turn attention away to a basketball game of someone playing someone else who I had no idea of what it meant or cared. “May I sit?” he asked. “I’m a bit chilled, but can’t say I wasn’t warned it gets cool this time of year.” “Sure,” I offered. “Have a seat” “I’m on my way back to work in a minute anyway.” “You sure you don’t mind?” He asked “I’m sure.” Came in reply and I noticed he looked tired. “Well,” he began, “ I just got through talking to a friend who is not doing so well.” “It kind of gets me down to hear he may not make it though I know in the end we all go.” I could only stare at him and wonder why He felt the need to tell me this and began to get a bit uneasy Wondering if he was a bubble shy. “ How’s the food?” he asked. “Fair enough .” I said and heard myself say “I’m sorry about your friend, and I know such things are hard wish I could offer you some words of wisdom, but all I can do is tell you, like you already know, there are season for rain and seasons for snow.” “This is a rainy time.” He said “Yes, “ I answered, “and sometimes it floods, washing away the things we know.” And I rose to make my way out as I needed to go “Thank you friend.” He said and all I could do was ask him, “For what?” “returning the kindness someone gave you.” He said in a slow drawl, “Cause someone told you something once when you were feeling further down than others thought and it made a difference to you.” “I’m sure we have all had such people in our lives.’ I said and laid twenty on the table “Order what you want to eat and use that to pay both bills.” “Ive got to get back to work.” ‘Lord will bless you sir.” He said just as a point guard for one of the no name teams hit a three pointer sending the game into overtime. “Take care” I offered and turned to leave “Until next time sir” he said, then picked up a menu and I rode the rain back to work wondering if the Lord would find him there instead of me and figured it was just as well the old fellow would probably get more out of it than I would anyway… |
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| © Copyright 2004 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved | |||
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Yeah, well the damnedest things happen over at Johnnys'. You never know when some ol' scruff'll come wheelin' in an' lay somethin' on ya. Sorry dude, the last time I came to see you there, there weren't no room at the table, what with all those poetical types takin' up all the chairs! Good stuff m'friend! |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
Ed... you show up at johnny's and I'll buy.. somehow I already know you... and think I'd learn a thing or two.. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ron...a wonderful heartwarming story...thank you for it!  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Don't forget to tip your waitress.  |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Me thinks the Lord told him where you'd be very heartwarming indeed. M  Beauty of the world which is soon to perish has two edges, one of laughter and one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
I am enjoying this softer side of you Captain. Hugs~
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Since the chairs are all taken, I'll just hang up near the burnt-out lightbulbs and listen quietly... you've got some awesome lines in there. |
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Goodknight Member Elite
since 2002-06-15
Posts 2386Ohio, USA |
very well done story - loved this - Paul |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Wonder if they're still serving breakfast...  |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
This is the kind of poem that makes one stop and think, shed a tear and look around oneself at a new image of the world and the people we may run into...one never knows who one might sit down with...This poem touched the soul of me and I feel I must thank you for the joy it gave me to read.... |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
“Until next time sir” he said, then picked up a menu and I rode the rain back to work wondering if the Lord would find him there instead of me and figured it was just as well Man...I really enjoyed this Cpat. I would like to be able to jump into the poem and have a coffee and just "people watch" for a wee bit. hugs, Chris |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
pssst...I noticed some...ah...rhymes!!!  liked this much. "sit on top of the world and tell me how you feel...'cause what you feel is what I feel for you.." |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
well cap, careful, your great big lovely heart is a showin! Smiles and hugs...what a great write to read...thanks a lot. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
exceptional work, m'friend... so good it feels to be here today to read this... regards sudhir |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
Johnny's sure sounds like an inviting hangout. I enjoyed the real down-to-earth feel of this. Sadie |
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muted
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving |
REALLY enjoyed this |
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Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
 ~~**~~ |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
There may be a little night hawk in most of us. Great scene, great depth in the simplicity. Does the place have good apple pie? *smile* |
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