Bridges At Breakfast

the ever widening generation gap, attempting another free verse

We debate immortality

In Frankie and Benny's 

Their likeness cast in bronze

Stares from the rear diner wall

She sips a strawberry shake

Through a barber stripe straw

He asks, "Will you immortalise me?

Will you remember me?"

"I'll preserve you in artist's paint, 

Nan can bury you in a poem"

Storm Blast gives her the eye from the kitchen

She oblivious to unwanted attention

Returns to her headphones and tupac

We slide back into easy conversation

Communication builds bridges

Narrows the generation gap

Author's Note

Any suggestions re my free verse will be appreciated. Thank you

Reviews

[M. J. Smith]

One night, by Lake of the Ozarks, a young man came into my camp. And I offered him a cup of tea. We killed an entire pot in just such a discussion as you write about. Ah, it was a grand night. Too bad I never saw him again. Beautiful poem. Short and sweet.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you MJS for calling on this old poem and one of my first attempts at free verse. Conversations with the young, yes they can be delightful and can help you see things from a different perspective. Pleased you enjoyed this one. All good wishes.

Chris

[JE Falcon]

I like this just as it is, once I got to a place where it all fell together in one lasting picture, about the 4th to the last line. --- NICE!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Falcon, thank you for calling on this old poem. One of my very first efforts at free verse, so I am pleased you enjoyed the read. All good wishes.

Chris

[Neville]

second time round maybe and a lot of water has certainly passed under the bridge but this just has to be one of my favouwrite Chris Shaw's to date .. and maybe not everyone will get this, but timeless & precious to boot :)

[Chris Shaw]

Neville, I am so pleased you like this poem. It is one of my first efforts at free verse. An attempt to diversify from rhyme and meter for a change. Pleased I made that step. I can remember how nervous I was to post this :) Thank you :)

Chris

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Bridges At Breakfast'
Chris Shaw,
I like your poem's entrance;
We debate immortality at
Frankie and Benny's'
It's nice to have a special place set aside for connection like this. I had a special date with one of my granddaughters at a French bakery. It was something that I'll remember sitting with my college age girl and listening to her ideas and smiles. Special. Your poem brought this to mind. Yes the technology has made communication instant which is what it is. Can't say it is always best for sure.
Bless you
Kathy
'

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Kathy, I thank you for commenting on this much older poem and for sharing your own experience with your own granddaughter. Nothing replaces face to face contact in my opinion. The Internet and technology, a second best. Keep well and happy.

Chris

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Chris Shaw,
Here we are communicating via internet. It is simply part of this world. It's nice though when
'face to face' is the reality. I'll take it!
Bless you Chris!
Kathy

[Broken.]

I am running out of vocabulary for compliments on your work! It is SO SO SO great, and the next one always seems better than the last. It's like I am finding out so much more about you through your writing. Makes me feel like I have a pen pal of sorts. I can never critique your writing either, mostly because there isn't anything that I would think to do differently. You are a very advanced writer. I appreciate. cheers

[Chris Shaw]

I am delighted that you choose to visit my work. Anything you have to say is more than welcome Broken. I like the pen pal idea and I am pleased you enjoyed this read.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think you do it very well, Christine...you get us there...i see this generation gap so much these days...the headphones, the texting, the lack of contact...what is there to immortalize?
but the poets and the painters can capture a moment in time...capture a face in time...a feeling of a person...and also that person in the back of the diner, who seems out of time.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I really am a novice when it comes to this style. The generation gap is huge, the lack of contact with real people in favour of cyber friends is puzzling. However, on the good side at least there IS communication and there is creativity too. I am beginning to feel I'm in a time warp. Thank you for your comments.

[Awz]

This is beautiful, I want to be friends with you, wish I could meet you

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you like the poem. Keep writing.

[Coyote Poetry]

The poem is wonderful.
"I'll preserve you in artist's paint,
Nan can bury you in a poem"
The above lines. My favorite. I liked the thoughts and the conversation leading to the strong ending. Thank you Christine for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Coyote, thanks for your lovely review.

[Coyote Poetry]

I miss the family gathering of my youth. Great talks and kind people. Your poem made me remember them. You are welcome Christine.

[sette]

totally true conversation can bring down walls and start a fresh relationship

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your review

[sette]

you are welcome