an oasis in a desert of ennui
pick an ace, man, pick an ace...
photo by mrganso at pixabay
an oasis in a desert of ennui
as i am sitting in this bar waiting for the world to end
a gecko is crawling on the opposite wall
checking out the posters of happy people drinking beer.
if you are thinking of pretty girls look for another joint
there are just us, a dozen or so of ugly slobs
that people want to punch and cops like to pull in.
there's really nothing much we can do, a desert of ennui
lift some bottles, light a fag, people die in wars
and accidents and that gecko would still be on the wall.
the bar-keep stares at me, looks at my army crew cut,
goes pour himself a drink, he probably
has a parang under the counter to ward off evil.
i stub out the cigarette, drink the last of the beer,
the last bus to my camp is due soon, can't miss it,
though the bus-stop is conveniently outside
i wave a salute to the barkeep, the fucker smiles,
as i push out the old-west saloon doors,
and walk out to a loud, unforgiving night.
07/01/2021
**********
Pink Floyd - Have A Cigar
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021
an oasis in a desert of ennui
as i am sitting in this bar waiting for the world to end
a gecko is crawling on the opposite wall
checking out the posters of happy people drinking beer.
if you are thinking of pretty girls look for another joint
there are just us, a dozen or so of ugly slobs
that people want to punch and cops like to pull in.
there's really nothing much we can do, a desert of ennui
lift some bottles, light a fag, people die in wars
and accidents and that gecko would still be on the wall.
the bar-keep stares at me, looks at my army crew cut,
goes pour himself a drink, he probably
has a parang under the counter to ward off evil.
i stub out the cigarette, drink the last of the beer,
the last bus to my camp is due soon, can't miss it,
though the bus-stop is conveniently outside
i wave a salute to the barkeep, the fucker smiles,
as i push out the old-west saloon doors,
and walk out to a loud, unforgiving night.
07/01/2021
**********
Pink Floyd - Have A Cigar
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2021
Labels: 70's, alcohol, ennui, landscape, military, Singapore
posted by dsnake1 at 9:19 PM
18 Comments:
Wow! making beautiful poetry put of the ordinary life!
You brought me right in, sat on a barstool and saw it all like a scene from a movie.
"though the bus stop is conveniently outside" I love that line. Almost a parody of itself. Sounds like a mighty fine way to go to me
Vandana,
Thank you!
Mundane can be beautiful too. :)
Colleen,
Thank you!
sit tight, and have a beer. i check if they have coffee too. :D
Naledi,
Thank you!
I am relating this through some recollections from my military days. it was crazy. :)
The mood of ennui is solid.
Hey in T&T Parang is a genre of Christmas music.
Good Sunday
Much💖love
You have the gift of imagery, my friend. That final smiles and the sentiments it brews, will stay with me.
Beautifully created atmosphere and tone. I love the gecko on the wall.
Gillena,
Thank you!
in the Malay language, parang is a heavy-bladed knife or machete used in Malaysia/Singapore for agricultural work (or fighting).
Magaly,
Thanks!
whatever type of place, try to stay friendly. :)
Rosemary,
Thank you!
That gecko can teach us a thing or two about survival. :)
This is a nice snapshot of life. We are often like the geckos -- stuck in place and unable to have real influence.
Really vivid imagery makes this place very real to me. I feel a bit like the gecko on the wall, taking it all in.
Graham,
Thank you!
you said it, bro! we are often like the geckos. :)
Rommy,
Thank you!
It's enjoying the scene! :)
I'm just lost in that "oasis in the desert of ennui". You describe it so well!
I smiled my way through this. What a witty write!
Thank you, Beverly.
glad you enjoyed the poem. :)
Really enjoyed that, how the flatness has a life.
Jim,
"the flatness have a life" : i like that! :)
This is a neat write, Cheong. It kept me on age all the way through. Humorous but there are a lot of folk like the one you wrote of. Thank you for peeking in on my Ferris wheel "prose poem". My daughter's work will take her to Singapore when the Covid lifts. Mrs. Jim and I may come with here, I would like to visit Singapore.
..
Thank you, Jim!
I have always enjoyed reading your works, whether poetry or prose. It gives me a little more insight into your USA.
Singapore is a good place to visit, clean & safe and the public transport is great. You can practically find food from every part of the world here, but i would recommend you our local cuisine. It's awesome if you and Mrs. Jim visit, and i may even be able to show you around.
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