I crossed the river to have a drink-
three fingers of another time
and a beer without the expected
slice of a social lime.

I crossed the river to have a drink,
and found, in the hours, a difference
that has claimed your face, that has
tightened its past exuberance as if
it were settled with something foreign,
something drained of energy, leaving
someone not quite you.

I crossed the river to have a drink
and found this much of a poem
working the bar.

I like this a lot, Maggie. The story shines through the reflection on the story just clearly enough, so that they've joined in a beautiful way. Tom

Very good poem. 

Tiko

Maggie, whether you meant the river references to conjure up the idea of death or not, I read the poem that way and found it stunning. Picked.

Thank you Tom, Tiko,  and thank you for the pick, el vee.
I'm glad you liked this one.

Maggie

yea maggie i am going to have to echo what el vee said earlier, for some reason as i read i imagined the solitary boat "death" rows in order to take hell bound souls to exile.  although, sometimes walking into a bar can mimic that feeling.  the simple structure appearance rolls well and personifies the poem to the fullest degree.  this selection is well warranted. -lawrence

Thank you, Lawrence. Appreciate your take on this. Maggie

Yo ho ho! Congrats, Maggie!

Well picked. love this poem.  Didn't read the river as death...sometimes a river is just a river! For me, it represented a barrier which the speaker had to make an effort to cross and meet with the protagonist...so doesn't happen every day.

very moving.   

Mags:

I had a thought... god forgive me...

I crossed the river to have a drink,
and found, in the hours, a difference
claimed your face, tightened its past
exuberance as if settled with something
foreign, something drained of energy,
leaving someone not quite you.

well any way, not necessary... but I liked the compressed line a bit more.

tidings

ron

What a pleasant surprise to find this here! Thank you for the pick, John.

Thank you for the props, Tom.

And Sue,  your very right—sometimes a river is just a river. Glad you enjoyed it.

I think God forgives you, Ron. And I appreciate the suggestion. Am mulling.

Maggie



 

Repeats on this are so very effective, maggie.  Super to find this one featured.  ld

What a great poem. Loved every bit of it each time i read it. Thanks for sharing

Lovely rhythm and nice kind of loose, fragile-ness towards the end.
:) Me like it, Maggie!

Had another read of this and had to respond. Wonderful work.