personal journal musings from last week...*
Stopped in at my neighborhood pub last night
a couple of pints, some word exchange
Colorful place on a perfect Spring evening
people on tap, constantly spilling in and out
The place is bustling and packed
loud and dynamic
Sound flowing on open air
drifting in from sidewalk patio and out to beer garden
Luckily nab a lonely stool near the entrance
girl sitting kitty-corner around curving end of bar
Casually we cover topics from her mac 'n cheese
to wind chill generated by ceiling fans
Conversation is suddenly confiding
prior night's end-all fight with her live-in boyfriend
Obvious need to talk to someone neutral
bartenders are busy, so it's me and we do
She's come seeking emotional sanctuary
awaiting his departure to some event
Unhappy with her role in the argument
unhappy with the person she has become with him
They'd intended to go ring shopping
as recently as last week
She now looks forward only to the comfort of
quiet, pajamas, ice cream, dreamless sleep
Upon leaving, she twice asks that I promise
to be here if she finds no solitude and must return
This is no request...more of an appeal
alone in privacy is one thing...alone in festivity another
I promise twice - I'll be here
she doesn't return
I sincerely hope that she's well on her way to
an ice cream induced pj slumber
Less than an hour later...same bar stool
Pleasingly boisterous bachelorette party arrives
staking claim to a nearby parcel of floor
Numerous "excuse me" squeeze-throughs for drink orders
rendering me a semi-familiar bar obstacle
One reveless wedges in, questions me
what color underpants do I have on...don't recall
Insists that we check...dark bluish-grey
too bad...she was hoping for purple to match her own
Impishly waiting long enough for my mind to stew
she finally reveals the query as part of a formal interactive checklist
I apologize for not being more daring in spectrum
we laugh, nevertheless...strike one
Eventually exchanging pleasantries with another
a more subtle approach, but the inquisition repeats
Here we go again...Batter up!...Red?...very sorry...strike two
I'm feeling of no value to this effort
Red offers me a redeeming pitch from the list
someone must serenade the bride-to-be
I accept and get to meet the veiled celebrity
she wears an engaging and jubilant aura
Gauging the atmosphere, I decide against romantic
opting for a song that playfully questions the sanity of her choice
From my heart, I sing the chorus to Matchbox Twenty's "Unwell"
It goes over very well and I avoid strike three
She and I hit it off, we discuss her wedding plans
discover our roots are in the same part of the city
I'm rewarded for my musical contribution
allowed to buy her a shot of Patrón...the checklist dwindles
Now partaking in the excitement of their celebration
an honorary addition to the large but exclusive group
My joyous new acquaintance has us take a picture together
a snapshot of this special occasion to which I've somehow been privileged
A train of waves, goodbyes, thanks, and good lucks
trails the party as I watch it crawl to the next establishment
In the hushed cacophony, I return to my thoughts
a fantastic diversity of emotional experience within two short hours
My elbows on the bar in sober contemplation
counting crows ...one...two...juxtaposed
A contrast of simultaneous realities
somberly lamenting vs vibrantly anticipating
Reflecting on the beauty in such contrasts
that serve to define the images of our lives
I finally come to the inevitable conclusion
it's time for another pint...of ice cream