Charlie's Old Bar

Charlie’s got an old bar outside of town.
It’s pretty seedy and plenty run down.
Characters who don’t lightly suffer fools
go there to drink whisky and to shoot pool.

Some huffy stuffy ladies from up-town
decided one day they’d shut Charlie’s down.
On a crusade, they made it their mission.
All ‘round town they paraded petitions.

Didn’t like the cartoon-graffitied walls
or the limericks written on the stalls.
They said Charlie’s scarred their town’s pretty face, 
called it a blight on the whole human race.

Charlie and friends put their heads together.
They called in Ben, the college professor.
A curious plan began to unfold
as they recalled the legends they'd been told.

The prof walked around.  He nodded and "aw"ed
read the walls, and he’d guffaw and applaud.
"Charlie," he said, "think I know what to do
to save our dear bar and make you rich, too!"

He said, “Good man, this place is a gold mine!
Thanks to Andy Warhol and Gertrude Stein!
Except for this 'Careen? Abdul Jabbar’—
Your walls have been graced by many a star!”

“Historical” says the placard outside.
Now, the uppity biddies point with pride.
It all worked out fine.  Charlie's got his friends,
his whisky and pool, and plenty to spend.

11/29/2018
Charlie's Cartoon Characters Curiously Careen and Crusade Poetry Contest
Sponsor:  Caren Kutsinger
~a first place

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



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Date: 12/24/2018 6:58:00 AM
A clever man indeed was the College Professor - from a local bar to a 1st class money spinner! Of course the huffy, puffy, stuffy ladies were now proud! A wonderful Christmas P.S. to you and yours. Jennifer.
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/24/2018 7:38:00 AM
Thank you Jennifer! Merry Christmas to you, too! :)
Date: 12/17/2018 2:24:00 AM
so creative PS I love your clever story especially the added value of the limericks and graffitti on the walls by famous people:-) hugs Jan xx
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/17/2018 6:39:00 AM
thank you, Jan :)
Date: 12/16/2018 9:58:00 PM
Well done, PS. Congrats on your well deserved win.
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/16/2018 10:35:00 PM
Thank you, Line. I had a lot of fun writing it.
Date: 12/16/2018 1:35:00 PM
This was incredibly inventive and creative P.S. Congratulations on your first placement! : )
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/16/2018 2:14:00 PM
Thank you, Connie :)
Date: 12/16/2018 9:57:00 AM
P.S., congratulations on your first place win! Charlie has friends in high places :) Great story. ~Mark
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/16/2018 2:14:00 PM
Thank you, Mark :)
Date: 12/5/2018 5:27:00 PM
Way to do the challenge, PS. I can see you put your thinking hat on!
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/5/2018 9:34:00 PM
Thank you Andrea. It was fun :)
Date: 12/4/2018 2:36:00 PM
PS, a wonderful poem for the contest, you used those words perfectly and hope you will be rewarded for your great writing ~
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/4/2018 3:25:00 PM
Ty
Date: 12/2/2018 7:52:00 AM
This is amazing and a fun gem to read, P.S., I will not be surprised to see this one at the top of the winner's list...Best of luck in the contest...Charlie :)
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/2/2018 9:12:00 AM
Thank you, Charlie. It was fun to write. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Date: 11/30/2018 6:50:00 PM
Hello P.S. Awtry, I like this poem it has a happy ending. Have a nice evening my friend.
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 11/30/2018 9:43:00 PM
Thank you, Darlene! So glad you liked it.
Date: 11/30/2018 3:00:00 PM
I LOVED the narrative, the way you were able to imagine this little hole-in-the-wall dive into a great menagerie of testimonials by famous people. Thank you!
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 11/30/2018 3:34:00 PM
Thank you, Andrew. So glad you enjoyed it :)
Date: 11/29/2018 10:24:00 PM
Great poem, good luck in the contest.
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 11/29/2018 11:25:00 PM
Thx Wren :)
Date: 11/29/2018 4:04:00 PM
Well written P.S. Enjoyed the story. Good luck. Tom.
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P.S. Awtry
Date: 11/29/2018 4:44:00 PM
thank you, Tom for the visit and encouragement :)
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