Morning Walk

 

c. 2020 Rod Ice

All rights reserved

(11-20)

Morning
Rude and restless
Roosters strut and call
Across the eastern flank of Geauga
I pull the covers tight
Wondering about my Tabasco glass
How many times was it full, yesterday?
A check of the bottle
Will testify
But for now
I yield to the sunrise
No need to be shy
Black Lab still slumbering
Cradles a steak bone with his paw
Was that what I saw?
I barely remember the meal
Steak and mashed spuds
Like my order so often was
At the Dinner Bell diner in Painesville
I miss it still
Famous George
In the traditional garb of a chef
I will never forget
My footsteps wake the dog
Still groggy from his dream
Another chew
A head shake and snort
He is ready to walk
Too long left alone after nightfall
I reach for his leash
Hanging on the wall
A gust of the new day brings
A gentle sting
A cool caress on my forehead
Clarity, again I can see
Cold eyes stare at the sky
Contrails streak the blue
Neighbor waking, too
I let my canine friend wander, unhooked
Still ruminating
About the steak I cooked
More thrilling than the taste
Was that memory from yonder days
‘Round the corner, on Bank Street
A place to meet
To dine and delve into the collection
A yesterdaze of things gone away
Of copper kettles, bric-a-brac
Elton John, Zsa Zsa Gabor
Dancing across the restaurant floor
Taxi cab doors
I long to go back
Coca Cola, Cleveland, a stuffed horse
Sticky buns with your main course
And at the front table
Famous George
Large and loud
Gregarious Greek
A smile like Big Creek
Broad and brimming with life
Every visit filled my belly
Every visit put my head right
Wisdom of a common man
George spoke freely
A champion of first-amendment rights
A free-speech delight
His encouragement fed my soul
While his kitchen filled my plate
I cried on the day
That the diner went away
But now, morning has come
Dog walks in the grass
There stands the glass
Empty now
Like my bottle in the cupboard
I offer a gentle curse
Over my coffee
“By goodness name, I feel no shame!”
When my head clears
And the new day appears
I’ll live those memories again
Fork and knife in hand
Firm, I’ll stand, like that giant of a man
Dishes piled on the counter
My heart swelled with pride
A memory that will ever survive
When the bottle goes empty
And I sit in my chair
Feeling sleepy

Written on my iPhone SE