Grabbing a buffet dinner
at Sitar India in West Philly
and it hits me—
it hits me hard—
exactly where I am.
I walk out to see
the street sign:
38th & Ludlow.
38th & Ludlow
Where once stood a legend
now a discount furniture store
or some such shit.
It made me feel ill
as I walked by the brick building
that once was the Chestnut Cabaret.
The memories flooding my head
were intense:
Buddy Guy strolling through the crowd
playing his guitar;
King Yellowman with his X-rated dub;
Burning one down with Cippolina;
A baker’s dozen Radiators shows.
The memories did
outnumber the tears
welling up in my eyes.
Tis true,
You can’t go home again
but the jarring sight of
“Everything 50% off”
on such a hallowed space.
It was like a kick in the nuts
that I certainly didn’t need.