Beat Generation - a Poem, Night Experiences for Me
411 Westheimer, Houston Texas
Open Mic Night POETRY SLAM, October 5
Open Mic Night POETRY SLAM, October 5
Our Coffee House
We sat in a circle,
maybe a square
if the group got large
Passed the bottle of wine
after a swig
Took turns telling our woe,
or maybe read a Poem
Ours if we had it written
or maybe one we'd read
that matched our mood
We all hated the war
partly that's why we came,
that and for the wine
They called this place
"The Coffee House" but
"The Coffee House" had
shut down
We hose it down
on Sunday mornings
and mow the grass
on Fridays
The neighbors didn't
mind that we came
Oft times they'd show up
up for the wine
Free to them
and for us
and next time or the next
we'd bring one along
Neighbors alright,
all except one,
a retired captain
We read him his Rights
and told him to shut up
He minded real well
and a few times bring some wine
That guy hated the army
and hated the war
he'd had a leg shot off
and became a bitter man
A drunk one night
wanted to change our name
"boys and girls club"
suited him fine
We told him to shut up
so he changed his mind,
wanted then
"Attica men and women
against the war"
Again we told him to sit down
and shut up
(the neighbors liked the
coffee idea)
We all went home HAPPY
as we'd done our part
to stop the war
We weren't draft dodgers
but some they didn't like,
especially with our
Peace Symbol buttons
Oh yes, some called us
"Beatniks,"
we didn't mind
_ _ _
- Poem Copyright, Jimmiehov 2022, All Rights Reserved
- I am linked with Sanaa at dVerse
- Click here to read other writings of the Beat Generation
- I am also linked with Rommy at the Friday Writings #47 at
- This is mostly true, The Coffee House for my experience was in Huntsville Alabama. I did get drafted later, then I didn't wear Peace Symbol buttons but I did have a gold and large Peace Symbol necklace which had been given to me.
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Labels: dVerse prompt, Friday Writings, Jim's Life, Poem, Story, Story Poem, Things to know
posted by Jim @ 10/04/2022 06:06:00 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
This is absolutely the finest poem you have gifted us ... ever.
It’s so good to know that there are still poets from that generation, Jim. We still have a couple of places where poets can meet, read and listen in Norwich, not least Dragon Hall, the National Centre for Writing, which has a lovely café. However, I don’t venture into Norwich these days and just take part in online poetry sessions. When I was little, my mother’s cousin made me some glove puppets, including a beatnik!
I agree, this is absolutely exquisite, Jim! Thank you so much for writing to the prompt.
A wonderful ode to the beat generation that epitomised the importance of peace, despite all the drinking and stuff. I've always been fascinated by their work and mission.
I dig this coffee house beat!
This is fantastic Jim.
Much❤love
Ah, memories! I still have my peace symbol on a leather cord I wear around my neck (yes I still wear it sometimes). It was made by a draft resister (or dodger) to help fund his campaign to stay out of prison, but unfortunately he was eventually caught and jailed, poor lad. I was also involved in marches and protests against the war. And oh my, we had coffee lounges just like that in Australia too. I even still have and treasure my copy of 'Howl', bought when it was first published.
What a fabulous memory... would be great to have those here and be able to protest not one but all those messy wars going on.
Thank you for bringing this part of history alive with your poem.
Hello, you old beatnik. By the time it was my turn, I was called a hippie. Always cracked me up.
I love this one so much, Jim. It reads like a story, and the tone and rhythm takes right into the tale. This is my latest favorite by you.
Excellent writing, Jim! This is a new favorite.
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