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The Greasy Spoon

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Originally published: 4th March 2020

Image by jagritparajuli99 from Pixabay

This poem came 2nd = in Brian Strand's "STRAND CHOICE B" Poetry Contest and

1st = in Brian Strand's "ALL YOURS" (Feb 17) Poetry Contest

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

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 half 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 And no one complaining at all. My past was a foreign country Before chains, regulations and brunch. Places I knew from those misty-eyed times Are all closed having now 'Gone To Lunch'.

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Brian Strand

Date: 10/8/2021 12:33:00 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
Date: 10/8/2021 2:13:00 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

Date: 2/19/2021 5:08:00 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
Date: 2/20/2021 4:53:00 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

Date: 2/18/2021 5:01:00 AM

Gary, congratulations on your win in Brian's contest with your wonderful poem _Constance

Gary Radice
Date: 2/21/2021 12:55:00 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

Date: 2/18/2021 1:11:00 AM

This took me back to those small quaint cafes...very well written...Congrats on your win Gary :)

Gary Radice
Date: 2/18/2021 4:37:00 AM

Thank you Carol. I'm going to read the list of winners in Brian's competition later today. Cheers - Gary

Belle Bellevue

Date: 2/17/2021 5:05:00 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
Date: 2/18/2021 12:16:00 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

Date: 3/11/2020 12:45:00 PM

Gary, your poem brings back so many memories - wonderful, cozy memories. Thanks for the time travel and congratulations!

Gary Radice
Date: 3/11/2020 4:35:00 PM

Thanks Sam! Just being able to transport you back in time makes me want to say: "Mission Accomplished" :) Cheers Gary

Sonia Walker

Date: 3/10/2020 8:41:00 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
Date: 3/11/2020 5:01:00 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. :)