PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

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:

38^th & Ludlow.

38^th & 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.