the pub singer
In a pub of a foreign country while on R&R, we came across a lady singer who I thought her voice was heavenly. (or maybe we were just too happy to see any lady).
Anyway, years later, that event inspired this poem.
pencil sketch by dsnake1
the pub singer
unnamed pub, taipei
in the noisy pub
the babble dropped
to a whisper
as the first strains
of the
plucked strings
drifted through
the fog
and neon
of the hall
and then that
crystal voice
like a plea
out of a void
a shooting star
on a dark sky
the pub singer,
she was there,
in the centre
of the stage,
lit up like a store display
under pools of pink
and orange lights
she sat on a high stool
plucking away on a guitar,
plucking our heartstrings
as she sang of love
and wanderings
and olive trees at home,
her oval face and
bob cut hair haloed in neon,
rounded hips tight in denim jeans
i asked a waitress
what was the singer's name
she said these girls are like
blooms from trees
and i thought
in my country
she would be a star.
written 06/03/2006
revised 23/01/2010
******************
"I have wandered so far, so far
for the olive tree of my dreams"
-- The Olive Tree, sung by Chyi Yu
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2019
Anyway, years later, that event inspired this poem.
the pub singer
unnamed pub, taipei
in the noisy pub
the babble dropped
to a whisper
as the first strains
of the
plucked strings
drifted through
the fog
and neon
of the hall
and then that
crystal voice
like a plea
out of a void
a shooting star
on a dark sky
the pub singer,
she was there,
in the centre
of the stage,
lit up like a store display
under pools of pink
and orange lights
she sat on a high stool
plucking away on a guitar,
plucking our heartstrings
as she sang of love
and wanderings
and olive trees at home,
her oval face and
bob cut hair haloed in neon,
rounded hips tight in denim jeans
i asked a waitress
what was the singer's name
she said these girls are like
blooms from trees
and i thought
in my country
she would be a star.
written 06/03/2006
revised 23/01/2010
******************
"I have wandered so far, so far
for the olive tree of my dreams"
-- The Olive Tree, sung by Chyi Yu
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2019
posted by dsnake1 at 10:23 PM
13 Comments:
I can hear the chatter fading to a hush as the notes of her song rang out........that is talent, to silence a noisy room with the notes of one's song.
Enjoyed the way you made the singer at once unique and blazing, an evocative performance. :)
Oh, the magic of music (and a girl)... the way they stick to the senses, making a home in the heart, re-blooming memories year after year.
I really love that the gift of her song (and the feelings she inspired) made her into a queen.
I have come upon singers like this... and I think it's partly of being away that make them so fantastic.
A really nice poem and sketch.
She sounds like quite a personality!!❤️
Sweetly and clearly told; you brought it all to life ... and have immortalised her.
Wonderfully drawn! What a read! I am there!
Sherry,
yes, she certainly was.
Chrissa,
Thank you! :)
Magaly,
Thank you!
After all these years, those memories are still very much alive. she sang like she was singing just to you, even though there was a crowd in the hall.
Bjorn,
perhaps it's true, that of being away that make them so fantastic.
after a month of jungles and guns, anything other than that is always good. :)
Vicki,
Thank you! :)
Sanaa,
thank you.
i guess she is. :)
Rosemary,
immortalised her? thank you! :)
Wendy,
Thank you! :)
In Oct/Nov 1990 I was a singer in a band. The club was called "ROOTS" and I was considered a cult figure for 12 weeks. My few minutes of fame.
That's great!
i used to frequent clubs to listen to live bands. Not anymore. :)
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