Casu Poenitet

Bits of a strange dream i had... Spoken word audio link in notes section:) As always thank you for listening and reading my poems I love hearing what you see in them!

Casu Poenitet

 

It was a curious looking place

With a slightly faded façade

Cast in the orange hues of dusks final rays

To bask the bricks in farewell daubs

 

Sweet scent of pipe smoke drifts hint of malaise

From a grey haired gentleman’s draw

Standing by the door of the Casu Poenitet

He glanced the entrance with a nod

 

My skin raised from the draft as I made my way

To the shadowy café bar

Many odd spirits were placed on display

Names like Reproach and Ache Bizarre

 

“Perhaps I’ll just have the house cabernet”

I said with hesitant tone

The barmaid poured with an air of dismay

Filling my glass with a faint groan

 

I sipped the bittersweet wine and surveyed

The room from the back bar mirror

To see the scenes of past sorrows replay

And many dark faces get clearer

 

Wishing to escape this wretched soiree

As these visions up welled to tears

“Dear barmaid this wine has a strange bouquet,

It seems to be laced with old fears!”

 

 

“Sir, you ordered contrition cabernet

This one’s from a very good year

Look now, here comes your lost love cabaret’s

Lonesome backwash of insincere!”

 

Although I tried I could not look away

From all of the anguish and pain

Watching the pieces of my hearts decay

I collapsed from the vivid refrains

 

The next thing that I recall from that day

Is my young self embracing me

My tears fell upon all that I betrayed

And watching them slowly break free

 

This retinue of woe’s grand cavalcade

Was beaming in smiles as they fade

“all of this…” I heard a faint whisper say;

“Made you… the man you are today”

 

Now if you visit the Casu Poenitet

Be sure to tip the bartender

Café Regret when it is Latin phrased

A place you’ll always remember

Author's Note

Robert · Casu Poenitite

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is one of the best things I've seen from you! This is the best of your storytelling talent, combined with top-notch word-crafting. Gotta love "faded façade" and "bask the bricks" and "contrition cabernet" and "backwash of insincere" -- I mean, you are in rare form, my friend! This conjures up a realistic scene in one's mind & I love the little dips into outlandishness here & there (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Robert Trakofler]

Thanks miss Willis:) this one is fastly becoming one of my favorites. You and I should stop in for a drink sometime I hear they have an interesting selection at the cigars bar:/

[barleygirl]

Never puffed one, but sure would be open to it!

[Beccy]

Clever title; and if this was a painting it would definitely be by Salvador Dali, and I love the atmosphere you created bunny, the darkish overtones. I find as I get older, I do reminisce more, though mostly over the good times; you know, what with life being rather to short for too many regrets, though the odd bit of repenting works wonders I find. :))

Beccy.

[Robert Trakofler]

I can definitely envision this as a Dali:) I saw this poem in my mind so vividly as I wrote it

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Casu Poenitet”- what a strange and compelling name for this poem RBB...it drew me in immediately and your classic words kept me rapt ‘till the end and beyond. Perfect vintage poster, imagery, cadence, rhyme, emotion and stylistic sprinkling of surreal utterances as the protagonist imbibes a “contrition cabernet” ( def alliteration!)- a wine filled with literal spirits- and in doing so, looks painfully backward to find the strength to move forward. Yes, ‘We are the sum of our experiences’- both good and bad. From them we learn lessons on how better to live. Excellent contemplative and evocative write my friend. And a huge Bravo for a dream such as this so magnificently put to ink. P.S. A generous tip, as always, was gladly left...

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Bunny...I also have my favorite trip to a Bar
in Georgetown... where "My Fair Lady" songs were played by a Jazz
combo of Base Fiddle and soft drums. I was seduced by the moment...
so young... and wanted to conceive my first child. truly, Pat

[Robert Trakofler]

wow that's magical Patricia...that sounds like the beginnings of a fine poem:)

[Patricia Wedel]

Thanks Robert... romance is a dance... especially if they are playing Jazz. tenderly, Pat

[YouoweYoupay]

Very neat! And thank you for the bit of explanation at the end. The Cafe or Regrets, eh? Don't we all have one of those? PFT HAHA. I need that dose sometimes of concentrated self-pity. Sick and unwatered. No rocks. The sweetness of the pipe smoke was what really evoked all the other sensations in me. And it quite nicely painted the setting in my head. I was right there sitting with the defeated, mournful narrator. And the disregarding, fidgeting tone of the bartender who poured the drinks. I'm sure that's because I'm audio and scent driven..

Some of the lines I liked:
“Dear barmaid this wine has a strange bouquet,

It seems to be laced with old fears!”

Thanks for sharing the love! I'm glad I read this.
Never stop writing.
~Aysha.

[Robert Trakofler]

oh I am glad that worked for you:) I wanted the ending to be a surprise! me too about the scents certain smells trigger my mind electric:) Aysha, thank you so much for the encouragement that sort of thing is in short supply these days:)

[emmajoy]

Seemsa place to wonder at, excess or apathy in equal parts? Maybe those names on the bottles point to an inventory of who or what knows! This has a brilliance of its own. Bunny, perhaps there's awareness of own history or a reminder of how life can be. Fine phrasing, clever 'mirror' subtly mating with 'clearer' ! Hearing your voice set me wondering if.. i need read again. Will. You know the how when it comes to this type of writing. Extraordinary, magical.. Congratulations re publishing, not at all surprised.

(needed to re.write; hope your reaction is same or similar.. if not, will understand a deletion)

[Robert Trakofler]

thanks Emmy I wrote this one because i thought i would try my hand at publishing for once:) I did submit it and it was accepted:) I have been writing lately less experimental and more intense these days. I am lucky if i write one poem a week two if im lightning fast:/

[Neville]

....
You dont have to be a poet to fall in love with some words BB but .. will ya marry me :)
... You really are on form Robert... great stuff sir, I take my hat off to ya ... Oh' ya dont have to answer write away.. just think on it :)

[Robert Trakofler]

Thanks Nev:)
and
I
thought
you
would
never
ask

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Woahh what a creative walk through memory lane or memory cafe, awesomely craftedand renacted memories reminders in soulful eloquent classic way. ...We are a sum of our past as well yes. I esp admired the stanzas of the vivid refrains and grand cavalcade.Your phrasings and word choice are remarkable and classic. Kudos!!

Plz pleez do read and comment my newest poem too.

[Robert Trakofler]

hi Zaynab thank you so much I will come and visit you lines too

[Ted Kniffen]

Rob ... this is brilliant ...

I wonder if this virus creates strange dreams, as I have been having some doozies lately.
Last night I was with Trump in a Walmart ... and I'm a Canadian for crying out loud.

Take care, be safe.

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Ted:) thats grounds for some psychotherapy LOL hmm Trump at a walmart that sounds rather like the beginnings of an interesting poem. I am glad you liked this one I really put some time into this poem these days I am lucky if i write one poem a week two if i am zippy:/

[Lydia Shutter]

Ah, yes, the cafe of regrets. We all have our own personal one, don't we? Such vivid imagery. I could picture myself sitting there watching the older man smoking a pipe. He would nod knowingly as my regrets streamed down my cheeks. You are a great story teller, Robert. This was truly delightful. Lydi**

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you Lydi:) I think a part of this story was about how I used to love to watch people at bars from the back bars mirrors see them while they were not performing their public persona and see them when their guards were down and just being themselves i used to do that alot

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I will surely visit this cafe in the future, but I don't tend to stay long, and I think I will just
have a water which will draw a frown from the barmaid...but I will tip her well and that might get me a second water.

The beginning of this had me thinking of the orange skies in California...and of Margie and those for which we feel such concern.
j.
j.

[Robert Trakofler]

who knows the origins of our dreams that very well may be the source of the scene in my dream:) I wouldn't necessarily be sure the water is safe at the Casu but, nothing ventured...