"Sanity..." Part of "The Cafe` - Life As We Live It" Poetry

A piece of an interrupted Chapbook

A couple of years back I envisioned and began to put together a series of works.  They were to be placed in a 'chapbook' titled - "The Cafe` - Life As We Live It."  All of it's snippets were to be life-themed and revolved around going to a downtown cafe and being part of 'life' as I found it.  Things don't always go as 'planned'.

"The Cafe` - Life As We Live It"

”Sanity…”

We have our moments
our perceptions
of our realities…
minute by minute.


I looked up from the page.  “What is it about “Sanity…” you don’t understand Dave?” I asked as I set my mug down.

I sat still, listening.  “Well, you have a point.”  “But, man… that IS the same point I’m trying to MAKE!”  “Ok…ok, I get your drift… clarity… it IS how we ‘see’ things I guess.”  “So what IS ‘reality’ Dave?”

I listened, thought, and waited a bit.  “But the concept?” or perhaps, “It’s finality?” - a quizzical look.

Nothing still… I leaned toward him, “Well, I felt it was ‘relevant’, I mean damn, Dave… it always depends on perceptions doesn’t it???”

I reached for my mug… damn, barely any dregs… “Mary?”  I looked around.  She was over by an empty table, wiping it down.  “Mary, we need some more coffee please.”

She looked up, paused and then said,  “Just be a sec hon” softly.

She came up… filled my cup. I motioned toward Dave’s.

She looked a sec, reached and took his, set it on her tray, and placed a fresh mug on the table.  Then she smiled, turned and walked away.  I lifted mine…ahhh great coffee here.

”Excuse me, sir?”  I looked up.  “Sir, do you mind if I take that chair?”

"Wha... Pardon me?"  The shadows perceptibly changed, my focus just - sharpened.  The kid might have been eighteen, on a good day.

"The empty chair... We need another chair for our table.”  I looked him in the eyes, “Nah, it’s cool… its ok " go ahead…” and he did… and Dave faded back into my memories.

I twisted the pen's top and put it in my shirt pocket - then looked down at my open journal ~ Dave never gets older, after all these years - he's just always... Dave.

”Sanity…”

We have our moments
our perceptions
of our realities…
minute by minute.

At times mine may intersect
with yours

and yours with mine

and sometimes they don’t.

Chris

Author's Note

Say as you want - feel free.

Reviews

[gram linski]

Liked your poem, dude didn't get the underlying pathos or inner ennui, just liked the read

[Chris]

Life is like that - we each stand in our own "doorways" and view a world. I appreciate your liking.

[Stephany]

This series of yours is a favorite of mine. Inviting the reader to share an intimate moment that is undeniably yours, with the possibility of being ours. It is a luxury to share a cup of coffee with our thoughts.
Mary is wonderful. She provides so much more than just a cup of coffee.

[Chris]

Perhaps I really should position The Cafe Series in a volume. It took effort for you to travel this far back at WC ...thank you for it.

[Stephany]

I enjoyed them at Myspace. And yes, to Chronicle them here would be grand! I am sure many would appreciate them!

[likesgreeneggsandham]

Startling in its perfection. I do see you too.

[Chris]

It's all behind our eyes - ya know?

[Crowley]

As many realities as there are perceptions...things we do with information, let it change us a little, let it change us a lot, or don't let it change us at all. Thing is, until we consider the information, we have none of these options....and this is good information Chris. Great writing, and thought process.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Great piece and concept. We all infact do have a unique perception that is all our own, and we often times have to endure the jolt of opposing perspectives rubbing against our own. Then, there's the collective reality, "the cafe," being a recluse of sorts, I find most public places overwhelming. Thought provoking stuff.

[Chris]

Thanks for taking the time to see another perspective.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It was most certainly a pleasure.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Chris,
I am starting to find public places such as your cafe to be good places for thought and inner pondering. I like your friend "Dave" very much. He is polite and does not take up to much time just enough to provide a good sounding board.
You know I have inner thoughts with myself, we all have these inner pondering s.
Your spin on this reality was just a blast to read.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Chris]

Good to see you here... anytime at all.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Thanks Chris. There is a Starbuck's that Iv'e discovered and have had a few meaningful times there just thinking and writing a little bit. A people place like that is full of energy. Bless ya!

[Lyn Anderson]

Your snippets of life are always insightful and enjoyable. A very satisfying read.

[J. Hampton]

Sanity...is simply the moment our reality gets a head nod from someone or another...
I thank God for the Daves in cafes...may they never go away.

you rocked this !

[Chris]

You're a Time's Machine ... I'ld keep you in memories and you'ld keep me in between breaths...

[J. Hampton]

:) you no doubt captivate as a spoken word artist

[Chris]

http://www.worldpoetryopenmic.net/

has a show on most Fridays and I try to join in.

[J. Hampton]

intriguing i love and miss it...what time ?

[Chris]

8 PM Mountain Time (10 PM Eastern Standard Time) on Friday evenings

[J. Hampton]

i may well check it out friday

[olla]

sometimes.. when the chaos of reality is too great.. the sanity of the dream becomes the preferred choice...

[jesserose99]

This is so on the money to how I feel...and I have felt crazy time to time when my perceptions don't intersect with anyone...lol...but this is a profound piece of work. I truly, deeply enjoyed it!! Thank you for guiding me here, I needed to see this.