Bob Kimmerling Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

A backpack memory, passing through Berlin in 1969

Wolfgang

Wolfgang sits alone in a Berlin bar 
Plying drink to drink's still darker state,
Depressed, alone, and full of hate 
For what he has become.

Young backpack enters and with uncertain 
Tongue a conversation starts, until late 
Drinking talk is done and Wolfgang must 
Depart, but bids young backpack home

With prospects of a sheltered night and promise
Of a warming meal some streets way, 
Not far. Wolfgang's wife is waiting.
A meal is cooked, unsteady Wolfgang sits 

As wife joins to the right and backpack left, 
Still drinking, until now beyond himself
Eyes roll, frame slumps still closer to the table. 
Dear Wolfgang's wife at last explains

That Wolfgang is unable. "He's impotent. 
My husband here has brought you home", 
She says, eyes to the table. "He's brought 
You home to be with me so I am not alone

At night. But see how much this hurts him. 
When doing this he drinks to stave the pain. 
And every time he brings a man, 'dear Wolfgang',
Is what I want to say, 'please don't do this again.'

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment