38TH & LUDLOW

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AMERICAN ZEN KOANS


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.

 

 

 

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