What Was I Thinking
They almost ran into me
Coming out, as I was going in
I smiled; touched my hat
Saw both look back when they’d passed
Heads almost touching
One asked the other
Loud enough so I could hear
Who was that?
Good question, I silently replied
I stepped into the place
Stood just inside
Letting my eyes adjust
From evening light, to next-to-none
An ordinary place, except…
No jukebox playing
The murmur of scattered conversation
Musical in its own right
Filled the small room
Eyes adjusted, I searched for an empty table
They were plentiful
All the same; round and dark
Old, but clean
A waiter was at my side
Almost magically, as I pulled out a chair
Welcome, a drink, sir?
Raised eyebrows when I ordered beer
The couple at the next table glanced and smiled
Small; silver hair glowing in the dark
She walked to the stage
The room went deathly silent
Turning away from the mic
She coughed silently, then began
Filling the room with sultry song
I cannot say it was not a song
Though no accompaniment was there
It was musical
Though without melody, it was melodic
Transfixed, I listened… in awe
To words well-formed and beautiful
When she had finished reciting
A spattering of applause followed her
From the stage to a stool at the bar
My eyes took in the slender back
‘Til a booming voice turned me back to the stage
As powerful words crashed and crushed
My hand flew to my breast pocket
Snatched the lined yellow sheet from it
I scanned the lines, then bolted for the door
Head down, I moved quickly
Heels clicking the walk, mind whirling
What was I thinking, going to such a place
Thinking I could stand and read my drivel
To those whose breath and heartbeat
Depended on their muse
Looking over my shoulder
I saw the sign flicker then light
A letter—the second one—missing
Above the door, in the darkening night
It glared… D verse Poets Pub
Copyright © 2012 C. Mashburn
Sharing this with dVerse Poets Pubs, “Meeting The Bar” this evening, where Victoria has asked us to write something abotu “where” we are.
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Daydreamertoo said
Well, that was totally original and also so unexpected.
Very atmospheric and, clever write 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank You! I wasn’t sure about it; thought it had probably been done before.
Victoria C. Slotto said
Dang, Charles, you are just too clever. I totally loved the whole atmosphere you created and I’m thinking…don’t know if I’d want to go someplace like that. Especially not alone. So hang around, the next beer is on the house. Smiles.
charlesmashburn said
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Victoria!
brian miller said
haha you are always welcome good sir in the pub…i was thinking as i was reading…man i would love to be in a place like that…and guess what i am…smiles….come on back and i will buy the next after victoria…
charlesmashburn said
Line ’em up! This is starting to sound like that time I was in Pat O’Briens on Bourbon Street (a very long time ago) drinking shots of tequila with a group of six strangers. We were hootin and hollerin, then all of a sudden I look around, everyone was gone, and there were six (at least) shots sitting on the bar. I looked at the barkeep, and he just shrugged. I said, “Well, we can’t waste ’em”, then downed all six one after the other. Next thing I know it was bout 2 PM and I was on the floor of my hotel room. We stayed in that evening.
Victoria C. Slotto said
Oh my gosh…there is no worse hangover than a tequila hangover.
charlesmashburn said
The funny thing (not funny haha, but funny strange) was I wasn’t then and never have been a tequila drinker. I never do shots! I just got caught up in the New Orleans party crowd, and went for it (probably had a few beers prior to arriving at O’Briens). It was indeed the worst hangover EVER! No… wait a minute… I can recall some mornings-after when Boones Farm Strawberry Hill was all the rage. GAK!
Susan said
Don’t go to that place alone! Take me or some one else less practiced than you. The ending would have surprised me had not the second reader made the narrator check the paper in his own pocket . . .
charlesmashburn said
Okay! You buyin?? hahaha
leahJlynn said
Good poem, at first I thought it was a country western bar and not a place for poets, love that twist.
charlesmashburn said
Well, if I was to be found in a bar, you would be more likely to find me in a CW place. Not many poet pubs in central Texas.
Grace said
Well I will be scared too but you know if the place is friendly and drinks are on the house, I will stay for the great company ~
Nice to see you in the pub tonight Charles ~
charlesmashburn said
Good to see you too, Grace!
punnypalaver said
Very unexpected–as I was reading, I was thinking, “hey if you can post them here, you can read them there!” and, of course, I was chuckling at the end. Fun stuff!
charlesmashburn said
Glad you enjoyed it!
Claudia said
haha…that was so very cool…and so unexpected..and hey…no one will ever raise the eyebrows when you order a beer at the dVerse pub…just saying…smiles
charlesmashburn said
I know dat. I was just trying to set the scene of being out of my element. But, you knew dat.
Thanks, Claudia!
aprille said
Oh, we need one of those. A flesh ‘n blood one, or bricks and mortar. A local with attitude. Great stuff.
charlesmashburn said
Actually, I would not be opposed to attending one if there was one nearby. Being a university town, I might be surprised. But then, they would definitely be surprised to hear what comes out of this old redneck dude.
Thank you, Aprille!
Polly Robinson said
So much for us to identify with here, Charles. I really enjoyed the read 🙂
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Polly. I appreciate the visit and comment!
kaykuala said
That’s how it is, Charles? I often wonder how it is at the pub. It sure comes with a bang. Not been there! But with them! Beautiful take!
Hank
charlesmashburn said
Aw, I kinda fictionalized it, Hank. I never been there, and I hear it’s a really cool place.
Thanks for the comment!
Raivenne said
Oh nicely done, Charles! I was not expecting that ending. You sir most certainly deserve to be there.
charlesmashburn said
Aw shucks, Ma’am. I’m just a amateur compared to most a you folks.
shanyns said
Oh so cool! Very well done, loved that twist at the end. I think with all of us there it’d be a friendly and encouraging crowd who wouldn’t let you bolt once they saw you had poetry in hand! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Shanyns! It was kind of a tongue-in-cheek thing. I feel very welcome at the dVerse Poets Pub!
John (@bookdreamer) said
And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy…
charlesmashburn said
uh-oh
Maybe a good thing I beat a retreat then, eh, John?
Cressida de Nova said
I like the bolting for the door.LOL…very clever indeed.
charlesmashburn said
Yep! I felt like I was in the wrong place for sure!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Chazinator said
I loved it. You got the time/place down so right, and then the surprise ending ketting us in on both your fear and the imaginary space of the place. Your self-portrait is superb for its intimacy, especially your shyness. The place itself comes across exactly as one would expect of those outsider places where poetry happens. Love the idea that dVerse is one of “those” places! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you liked it, Charles! I appreciated the great comment!