Gary Radice Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

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Originally published: 4th March 2020

Image: Amazon

This Poem was placed 1st in the "ALL YOURS Feb 17"  Poetry Contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 15th March 2021)

An amalgamation of several small cafes plucked from memory that I frequented as a child.

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The Greasy Spoon

several formica red tables
glass shakers of pepper and salt
big plastic tomatoes I wanted to squeeze
and shaped bottles of sarson’s own malt.

netting on all of the windows
scratch marks from chairs on the floor
ashtrays with notches to rest cigarettes
and 'open' and 'closed' on the door.

menus upright in a v-shape
the 'royals' adorning the wall
food through the fog of benson & hedges
with no one complaining at all.

my past was another country
before chains, regulations and brunch
places I knew from those misty-eyed times
are no more and have all 'gone to lunch'.

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Andrea Dietrich May 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM Really like this look at a greasy spoon . Sometimes the best place for tasty food. Congrats here Gary Radice May 11, 2025 at 11:18 AM Thanks Andrea. I'm behind on reading and commenting at the moment but will catch up with your latest works next week. Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick January 21, 2025 at 8:55 AM Ahh!! Don't we all remember those places from long ago when a meal wasn't so expensive and platelet teasing. I like this one and thank you for sharing. Sara K Gary Radice January 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM Hi Sara. Thanks for your visit to an oldie of mine. I’d almost forgotten about it. :) Greasy Spoons do still exist in the UK but health and safety regulations have multiplied by 1000% over the years. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne April 6, 2023 at 10:21 PM We have a few small diners here in Toronto with Formica table tops. Shifting demographics, however, have meant a change in taste. Now we often munch on samosas or shawarma. A grand write, Gary, to take us back to lost times. Be well. Brian Gary Radice April 7, 2023 at 9:54 PM Thanks for your continued support and encouragement Brian. Eating habits have changed. People have changed. Nostalgia in my poems hasn't. :) Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand October 8, 2021 at 12:33 AM My first job,on qualifying was on Holborn viaduct,near Smithfield & I lunched at a porters'cafe'(standing at counters,rough r&ready but cheap&good basic grub) Gary Radice October 8, 2021 at 2:13 AM Wow Brian..I bet you could write a whole anthology about your time there. :) I'm currently passing through Wigan on an express train thundering towards Blackpool for the day. I already have some ideas for another train poem.. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman February 19, 2021 at 5:08 PM Back with congratulations, Gary! This truly is lunch on Memory Lane! So sad to see these hallmarks of nostalgia closing but so happy to see it on the winners list! Here's to the greasy spoons! All the best! Thanks for bringing them back to mind! Gary Radice February 20, 2021 at 4:53 AM Thanks for the congrats Sam and I raise my mug of tea to all the Greasy Spoons of this world. :) Cheers - Gary

Constance La France February 18, 2021 at 5:01 AM Gary, congratulations on your win in Brian's contest with your wonderful poem _Constance Gary Radice February 21, 2021 at 12:55 PM Thank you Constance. There are still a few left where you are able to get good food cheaply. In many places nowadays though you get cheap food 'expensively' :) Cheers - Gary

Carol Mitra February 18, 2021 at 1:11 AM This took me back to those small quaint cafes...very well written...Congrats on your win Gary :) Gary Radice February 18, 2021 at 4:37 AM Thank you Carol. I'm going to read the list of winners in Brian's competition later today. Cheers - Gary

Beryl Edmonds February 17, 2021 at 5:05 PM A superb nostalgic write Gary, what a treat it was in days long past to be taken to a cafe like that. Congratulations on the win... Belle Gary Radice February 18, 2021 at 12:16 AM Thanks Belle. I daresay there are still some around but many of the chains (and Health and Safety) have put paid to them and their conditions. They had an atmosphere all of their own and that's what I wanted to capture. I'm glad you liked the poem. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman March 11, 2020 at 12:45 PM Gary, your poem brings back so many memories - wonderful, cozy memories. Thanks for the time travel and congratulations! Gary Radice March 11, 2020 at 4:35 PM Thanks Sam! Just being able to transport you back in time makes me want to say: "Mission Accomplished" :) Cheers Gary

Sonia Walker March 10, 2020 at 8:41 PM Gary, congratulations on your placement. Having ate in "greasy spoons" from here to there, your poem made me feel almost at home. All the best, Sonia. Gary Radice March 11, 2020 at 5:01 AM Thank you for your kind comments Sonia. I have vivid memories of places like this from childhood. Some do still exist .. minus the cigarette smoke of course. :)