Poem by Robert Trakofler
It was a curious looking place With a slightly faded façade Cast in the orange hues of dusks final rays To bask the bricks in farewell daubs Sweet scent of pipe smoke drifts hint of malaise From a grey haired gentleman’s draw Standing by the door of the Casu Poenitet He glanced the entrance with a nod My skin raised from the draft as I made my way To the shadowy café bar Many odd spirits were placed on display Names like Reproach and Ache Bizarre “Perhaps I’ll just have the house cabernet” I said with hesitant tone The barmaid poured with an air of dismay Filling my glass with a faint groan I sipped the bittersweet wine and surveyed The room from the back bar mirror To see the scenes of past sorrows replay And many dark faces get clearer Wishing to escape this wretched soiree As these visions up welled to tears “Dear barmaid this wine has a strange bouquet, It seems to be laced with old fears!” “Sir, you ordered contrition cabernet This one’s from a very good year Look now, here comes your lost love cabaret’s Lonesome backwash of insincere!” Although I tried I could not look away From all of the anguish and pain Watching the pieces of my hearts decay I collapsed from the vivid refrains The next thing that I recall from that day Is my young self embracing me My tears fell upon all that I betrayed And watching them slowly break free This retinue of woe’s grand cavalcade Was beaming in smiles as they fade “all of this…” I heard a faint whisper say; “Made you… the man you are today” Now if you visit the Casu Poenitet Be sure to tip the bartender Café Regret when it is Latin phrased A place you’ll always remember
Robert Trakofler owns an antiques & vintage clothing store that’s also an art gallery and vegan restaurant. He uses the space as a venue for poetry and music, as well as filming and photography. He is an aesthete with a deep love for artful expressions in myriad forms who enjoys writing and the musical arts.
