Local Dive

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["Local Dive" was first published in the Yearbook of Modern Poetry 1981, Young Publications, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1981.]

Davy's band plays weekend gigs at Carrie's club; Saturday nights the place is packed; from Grease to glitter in one hour; turning pro Even though it's not up-town yet. The crowd is slow and easy here; Hard stuff never sells as well as beer. Davy draws the over-forties crowd with disco in three-quarter time; and slow dances, and middle-aged clinging Couples, wanting "Release Me" before midnight; and when the last set is over, The band tears down in debt, exits through the rear. Mondays, brass and skins are stacked in the maple crate on a beatup, borrowed truck And Davy pumps gas at Larry's to make some bucks.

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/15/2021 4:54:00 PM

I swear I feel I am there. Great imagery.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/15/2021 5:08:00 PM

Ah, I remember those days. Glad you did, too. Davy's band wasn't the best, but they livened up the place!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/11/2021 6:09:00 PM

Great reprise of a time back when... These guys would have been right at home in one of Bill Murray's 'Lizard Lounge' settings, eh?! Thanks for the memories, Milt. :) gw

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/13/2021 12:13:00 PM

Yeah, Gershon. There was a time when some of the garage bands made it big, but not many times. Davy plays for love of music, obviously.

Sotto Poet

Date: 5/11/2021 10:35:00 AM

Another Great gem to recall Milton, brimming with considerations and symbolism here and there hard to see them again in our era; similar to the social affair or the stuffed spots, the time has changed, yet implications still alive

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/11/2021 11:12:00 AM

Thanks for your visit and your read, Lasaad. I always appreciate your comments.