For Sentimental Reasons

For Sentimental Reasons

            “My beer-drunk soul is sadder than all the Christmas trees

            of the world.”  - Charles Bukowski

 

 

another year has gone

leaving me to reflect upon

old acquaintances

and lovers

 

to transitorily  hypothesize

if you still wear baseball caps backwards

or read prose by Robert Frost

on nights when you can’t sleep

 

if you still smoke Marlboro cigarettes

and drive a red flatbed ford

that plays the static of talk radio,

and if on occasion

when the moon is full

 think of me

 

the dichotomy  of pros and cons

and the Irish in me agree

you were the one that got away

 

but on occasion,

a Cabernet Sauvignon

often relinquishes thoughts of you

for sentimental reasons.

 

Reviews

[willweb]

A good Cabernet Sauvignon can relinquish thoughts of many things but, somehow, she always manages to sneak into my mind no matter what or how much I have had to drink because there is always that time of thought...the quiet times. Funny how your poems always seem to find a place in me to awaken. Must be similar experiences somewhere along the line. Loved this Kelly

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wanted to write something that touched my reader just as much as that quote by Charles Bukowski, about the Christmas trees of the world. There are so many of us who have loved and lost, and perhaps there are a few like me that find it great material for a poem. I find it somewhat comforting even after all these years. As good as the wine, even. How proud you have made me with such a review, Will - to know my poems always seem to find a place in you to awaken. That's quite the compliment, my friend. One I will cherish for quite sometime...like all the Christmas trees of the world.

[Perry]

Courageous Introspection, honesty, and emotion are displayed in this reflective and wonderfully written poem. Beautifully done, Kelly!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Perry! So good to have you here!

[carl]

read all of your poems here and this one is the most captivating of all for me. It seems completely genuine and a first hand nostalgic, serene, sentimental experience. Thanks for the work and "thanks for the memories." -carl

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your kindness and warmth comes through, overwhelming my heart. Thank you, Carl! So glad you enjoyed it!

[Temperance]

This is a lovely poem, Ms. Kelly. I can relate on all those past loves and lovers and, do wonder at times, how they are and what has become of them. So very nicely penned. Thank you, Temp

[Kelly Scheppers]

Two of my past loves are no longer on this earth, but I still think of them often...and probably always will! Thank you most kindly, Temp!

[Temperance]

My pleasure. Two of mine or gone as well.

[MCS]

These words on this day.....I'll just open another bottle of wine.
Always a treat to read your work.
Thank you

[Kelly Scheppers]

I have missed you more than I can say. Thank you, Mary! I'll take a glass of that wine. Let us toast to good friends, far and near.

[Shannon]

But you’re not here; you’re not there
And bourbon is dark
A lake of tears
You: a water lily

Sunsets are the worst, aren’t they lol

I think pain is good; I know pain is good… the loss, the despair, the longing; it’s a bruise on the heart, the wound can even be beautiful, and there is nothing worse in the chest of a man or woman than a rock. Many don’t like Bukowski, their timid morality won’t allow them to fathom the pain behind his verse, but pain is what makes one human. I think the problem with the average post-modernist is that he’s never been punched in the mouth lol.

Anyways, a lovely piece, and I’m pleased you were inspired that rough old b*****d. Thanks for pointing me in this direction.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The depth and perception of your review flatters me. I agree with your analysis on pain, it is what makes us human, but I have found it to be quite therapeutic in writing verse. Perhaps Bukowski did, too. The quote about his "beer drunk soul" being sadder than all the Christmas trees of the world, really spoke to me. I've always felt sad seeing them line the curbside of streets, awaiting trash pick-up, with sparse strands of tinsel blowing in the wind. Once within the warmth of a home, now barren and laid to waste. Thank you for stirring my love of poetry!

[Roth Jordain]

Hi again Kelly,
I don't know about Bukowski's influence, but the sheer genius of your poetic skill rivals that of McKuen's 'Listen to the Warm' in imagery and smooth easy emotional appeal that literally tugs hearts of every reader -- he is my favorite free verse writer by-the-way.
I had no idea this caliber of poetry is being shared at WritersCafe, but because it is you I should have known.
Your title and painting I think are both perfect and set the timbre for the fully embracing poetry to come but nothing can compare to experiencing it with eyes and mind and heart and emotion and imagination that takes it all and makes the world around us disappear -- it seems I could write a book in review.

Let me stop before I become a burden, by saying if I ever loved a poem this is the one I fell in love with -- thank you sincerely Kelly purely for sentimental reasons,
Roth

[Kelly Scheppers]

Hello, Roth! Wow, where do I begin? First of all, I want to apologize for being late with my response. I am thrilled to know that McKuen was such an inspiration for you with his free verse, as he was with me. To have someone compare me with his caliber of style is of the highest compliment I could ever hope to achieve in this lifetime, so I thank you for that, big time! When I read the above quote by Charles Bukowski, it totally blew my socks off. It still does every time I read it. So, that in itself was all the muse I needed to write this. Love, love lost and unrequited love has always been my forte in writing poetry. It has served me well and has brought many a poet here into my life. How fortunate I am to now garnish yet another! Thank you most kindly!

[W. Barrett Munn]

This is quite impressive, Kelly. Everything a lyric poem should be. Congratulations.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Funny, how a simple quote can inspire you. Thank you most kindly, Winston!

[C. M. Miller]

I read all those amazing and insightful reviews, and to be honest (and a bit jealous) I am somewhat jealous how eloquent they were. You certainly struck a cord, poet. I have nothing to add, except to say, "bravo!" to all.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am most appreciative of each and every one. You are no exception!

[M. J. Smith]

Hmmm... The one who got away...
Guess we all got a fish story or two. Heck, I've been the one who got away.
Very beautiful ruminations, my friend.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I think at least two times I must have been myself, but they were the times my heart was broken. Thank you so much for your kind words!

[M. J. Smith]

Aww... Reckon the pleasure was mine, Ma'am. And you are most welcome.