*The TV Over the BarA Poem by W. Barrett Munn*A seond of the 5 poems published this week in The Awakenings Review, Volue 10, Number 1.---
It’s raining when I duck into Freddie’s, and I’m met with my nightmare theme: above the bar, above the bottles of bourbon, brandy, and beer, the television is talking about some tragedy, terrible, another shooting scene.
“Turn it up, Joe,” booms a voice to the bartender.
I’ve lived this nightmare before, but can’t do anything but stop.
I hear the news, another mass shooter, but I don’t listen to where or how many died this time, all I’m thinking as they continue to talk is that someone somewhere watches, and while he waits he picks his place, and soon he’ll strike, and when he does the news will say the who, the how, the what, they’ll keep score of how many died, and how many walked away. And just like before and just like now, it’ll be broadcast on the news, right here above this bar.
And for awhile we’ll grumble, and for awhile we’ll b***h, but Joni won’t ever be back.
Already I hear clinking of glasses and rattling bottles of beer, while the volume of conversation is increasing, drowning in the mundane the talk of murder coming from above the bar.
But some sorrows can’t be drowned. I can attest to that. I turn around and step outside where rain melts tears.
I hail a cab.
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1 Review Added on March 31, 2023 Last Updated on March 14, 2024 AuthorW. Barrett MunnTULSA, OKAbout“What one seems to want in art, in experiencing it, is the same thing that is necessary for its creation, a self-forgetfull, totally useless concentration." - Elizabeth Bishop I’m Wins.. more..Writing
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