The smell of beer and fears
catch my nose as I walk in,
the tinkling ivories music drifts
across the floor to me.

My mind is filled with stories
as the music inspires my mind,
I create a mental biography
for all the people here.

The smiling bartender
fills up the pianist's cup,
they share a joke and a smoke,
as a new song begins to play.

I feel I know these people
though I know nary a name,
they came here for something
we are all searching for a reason.

I walk over and drop a tip
in the jar on the top of the piano,
a wink from the musician
and a pat from the old man sitting.

De ja vu strikes
have I been here before
as I hear the old man
ask for a memory to be played.