Daily Cascade

The Poet and the Bartender

Prompt:
Imagine being into a 1950's diner. What kind of person would find this setting comfortable? What does this person love to do? What kind of things does this person fear? What would be a dream come true scenario? Now take this information and write a short story based on what you determined in this setting. Nothing to elaborate, just have fun!

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The Poet and the Bartender



on stools worn, like his shoes,
he sits still under the dimmed light
listening to the hum, sipping the blues,
from the jukebox, the music of the night

for here is where all dreamers come
to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some

closed in a world unseen, with ghosts
of cigarette smoke, rising up like love
taking a toll in his life, but now, long-lost
and her words still hurt, yet a treasure trove

for they are the reasons all dreamers come
to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some

the bartender wipes the counter clean,
fully knowing where this poet’s been
and how the music echoes his soul
for in his heart, her words take their toll

for they are the reasons all dreamers come
to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some

the bartender hands a napkin to him
for the poet's scrawls, with ink smudging thin
so his thoughts from within he pours out to part
while Dean Martin sings "Always in my heart"

for it is the reason why all dreamers come
to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some

and he'll write, with every sip, wrapped in smoke
of cold city streets, the war, and being broke
or this poet will let something go, a bit too slow,
or he'll choke on words only bartenders know

for they are the reasons all dreamers come
to this 1950's smoky bar, a haven for some