"Empty Cafes...: The Cafe Series - Life as we live it.

We still have our windows.

In time for 25 December, 2020

 

“The Cafe` - Life As We Live It - series"

 

“Empty Cafés…”

 

Is cold, today.  The sidewalks - empty.

Streets - debris laden

  With rustling wind-swept echoes

  of life now missing and so long missed

  that even tears no longer stain the asphalt ways.

Even our ghosts wander our souls.

 

Tis the season of ethereal, ephemeral music;

  scents more of memories than reality;

  visions that shimmer, waft, and whisper beyond our weary,

  perhaps even …rheumy… eyed view.

 

A season echoing “could haves”

and “should haves”

and the wishes of ageless children

hiding in plain sight as the adults they seldom willingly are.

 

‘Tis the season of

  held breath

  desperate Hope

  and the ever all-filled silence…

  as time passes us by

  each as alone with our thoughts

  as only a person can be

  who knows their dark so well.

 

“I…have…sung…with…symphonies,

and watched a kitten cry;

walked…castle…battlements,

seen nightmares come to life.

Wandered places that aren’t anymore -

though to me they are never less.

And miss moments I can’t share

and relive thens where bits of me …die.”

 

“I still see

trees all make-believe -

empty spaces glossed over by dreams

within our minds.

I see mom so drawn by life

and all her hard

that she cried cause

…well, she was mom,

so ya already know.”

 

I watched haves slight nots,

said things I shouldn’t,

was snarky - cause I could,

and always wondered of the “whys”…

 

This year, this time, THIS now -

perhaps we earned it…

              or

perhaps it was a gift -

a night’s tear to be treasured

…our Ghost of Christmas - all the “Future”

as come to pass

after our bit of beouf ‘n gravy -

our moment’s self-indulgence

come home to snuggle within our …conscience…

‘til we made it so.

 

My cup runneth over

and Mary’s ghost has faded beyond my sight…

 

“Merry Christmas to all

And to all a goodnight.”

 

Chris

 

The final words weren’t mine alone - though I really don’t remember whom to attribute them to… BUT, they really did fit and are what I said aloud as I read this before posting.

Author's Note

feel free

Reviews

[Tina]

This makes me think of what I could of done with my life, all my regrets. Always hoping for a better year.. and how things you loved as a kid are gone,. Im at the age where I am helping my mother get through things and remembering all she had done for me.. any way good poem..

[Chris]

Want a hint? Most of us never get over helping our parents while we have our own rough spots. Life as we live it. Good seeing fresh eyes.

[Unspoken poet]

Very strong write here, nicely said

[Kaylor Mason]

I have to say that the image of desolation and good memories fits in perfectly with the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. It's horrible to behold. I wish they would hurry up with the vaccines.

[barleygirl]

Your Christmas poem peels it all down to the spirit of season, for me. While some blot out memories & regrets by staying busy, decorating, shopping, etc. . . . your poem shows how many spend the holidays, wrestling with the haunting stuff that bubbles up . . . seems to come with the territory. Luckily, I'm not one of those people who thinks about the many authentic details you paint into your poem. For me, it's just winter, which means another season in the wilderness! *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Chris]

"Life as we live it, seldom as we want it."

[Crowley]

Oh that feeling, nothing quite as intoxicating, barbiturate style. So full one minute and gone and on to the bustle the next. I feel myself in love with the impending holidays, and loathing their existence 10 minutes afterward. Great work Chris and the last line was fitting...but you know that.

[Relic]

At one time, I criticized your writing because I didn't know any better. Today, I find you very easy and enjoyable to read and listen to in my minds speakers because I've grown up. :) I think we'll all look back at our writing one day and see what we had to go through by the words of others and maybe ourselves.

We are in unprecedented times that will either make or break us. Let's hope one day we'll all write as though a cloud has been lifted from our heads.

Always a pleasure.

[Chris]

I appreciate you taking the time to visit and hope to see you often as well.

[The dark Hydra]

Wow it inspired me I...I feel like writing a poem...
The poem spells like a*s
God who wrote this trash
Truthfully I should have made a bypass
But I don't fear backlash

[roarke]

Strong write. Resounds. You put a voice to the hundred mile gaze. Bravo.

[Vicki T.]

The first stanza spoke to me in ways you can't imagine.

[Chris]

Spoke with me as well...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Scrooge wouldn't have much to look forward to today, even with his heart softened.
We have all become Scrooges this year...it is just not the same as it used to be.
there is no make-believe, no kids anymore, just grown-ups and grown-too soons...

life as we know it will never be the same.

I tip my poetic cap to you, Chris.

you are an amazing wordsmith...
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

it was Clement Clarke Moore https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43171/a-visit-from-st-nicholas ;)
your poem is so disturbing, Chris. ... reality is harsh at times .. and brutal honesty needed within us all as we gaze into the looking glass ... some deep thoughts in this one for sure .. this Christmas cheer is paled under the heavy lamp shade of covid and death. for me some lines definitely strike me "perhaps even …rheumy… eyed view." for its cheeky humor .. old rheumy moves itself in and makes itself at home for many of us ... "hiding in plain sight as the adults they seldom willingly are." so many live out life in hiding .. we should all take stock of that .. "who knows their dark so well." i really like that one .. spoken from a sojourner with stout heart and soul to look into such darkness .. i think the irony and sarcasm of those closing lines are so spot on ... puts a cap on what the world is feeling together in this disease and death .. but as i am now thinking about your poem and its theme .. a sort of balanced honesty and acceptance with despair .. the true meaning of Christmas ... the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ .. lights the hope in me .. He wasn't born into a beautiful world at all .. his people under the heal of Roman dominance .. and jealous Herod searching to find and kill Him .. for his own fears and arrogance ... but born He was eh!? love on ya Chris ... i think this is a truly fine poem of the times and of the Now ...
E.

[Chris]

Thanks E. good ref.

Is good knowing you are here. Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

it's a fine meeting place isn't it Chris .. luv on ya man! :) .........................