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Gene Williamson

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Of All the Gin Mills in All the World
by Gene Williamson → (All Poetry by Gene Williamson)
   Rated "G" by the Author.
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Apologies to Rick.

 

I had to pick Nathan’s on New Year’s Eve,
a crowded bar three deep,
but not deep enough to escape Savanha.

Wyked Savanha, she called herself,
wearing a feather boa
that barely concealed her yellow jacket,
spinning her spell,
stinging my thoughts with memories
that failed to wash away
in all the hellish holes of cheap champagne
and Harry playing that damn song.
I’ll be loving you, he sang, always, always,
tin-ear Harry always off key.

Laughter touches me from untroubled nights
,
flickering frames jumping across my mind,
in the spring, in the fall, in the rain.
Savanha’s vow that yesterday was forever.

Always, she laughed;
always she lied:
yesterday never was, never happened,
except in Harry’s haunting lament
of love sealed in a kiss, a sigh.

Always, I cry to the aging visage
locked on mine in the glass behind the bar.
Here’s me looking at you, I whisper,
wherever you are in time gone by.
   

 

 


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 Reviews of "Of All the Gin Mills in All the World"
Reviewed by E Phillips
Reviewed on September 4, 2021
Apologies are not needed.
This poem captures that classic film with flair and style.

Reviewed by Kathy Kopp
Reviewed on February 15, 2009
Very visual piece, Gene. I'd like to know what memories, in a little more detail, that Savanha triggered in the poet. This poem should be in black and white, instead of color! A belated Happy New Year - Kathy

Reviewed by Liana Margiva
Reviewed on December 31, 2008
WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! I JUST LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Reviewed by Michelle Mead
Reviewed on December 30, 2008
I love all the classic film references seeing as i am an old film nut! This is writing, it's original, and it gets to where it's going with an artist's flourish- Happy New Year, Gene! - Michelle

Reviewed by Sandy Shepard
Reviewed on December 30, 2008
Gene - I felt like I was right there in that smoky bar, hearing that piano and that off key singer named Harry. Awesome writing!

Reviewed on December 30, 2008
Yes yes yes (Sheila) I felt like an acclamation of sorts being profused & proclaimed like a man standing on stage of a Shakespeare type performance, in some duds from the late era of smoke filled piano bars...oh not so long ago actually...
Wonderful Poetic Expression Gene!
Encore....Encore.....Encore
I stand & clap & swagger my way to order another round, for me bar mates....Play it again Sam....Or Harry & that damn song :)
""Of All the Gin Mills in All the World" reads like a cherishable memory....
Embraced
Vickie

Reviewed by Sheila Roy
Reviewed on December 30, 2008
Feels as though I was pulled in to a scene in a movie. Excellent work:)
Sheila

Reviewed by Gerard Gauthier (Reader)
Reviewed on December 29, 2008
Some of your writes are a narration of old songs, movies or both...feeling so familiar that the words are polite reminders your reading...great read Gene


Reviewed by F William Broome
Reviewed on December 29, 2008
I've waited too lone, and all of my good lines have been used. But I say as sincerely as I can, that this is above the standard writing. Now tell me why you didn't become a playwright? - Bill

Reviewed by Amber Moonstone
Reviewed on December 29, 2008
I was feeling a bit of Casablanca here, Bogart..
Loved the feel of this poem, all smokey and rough around the edges.
Great write, I was right there with you smoking that cigar and adjusting my fishnet stockings.
Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"

Reviewed by D Johnson
Reviewed on December 29, 2008
I could see the smoke, hear the laughter and chatter, and Harry singing off key. This could have been a bar anywhere but you brought it to life.

Cheers,
Dan

Reviewed by Jon Willey
Reviewed on December 29, 2008
Harry, that over worked excuse for a singer and musician -- but there was always magic in his piano -- for it never failed to evoke life long memories -- especially those of that has been, Savannah -- the boa striped thrill, of nostalgia -- may peace and love be always with you -- JMW

Reviewed by Rose Rideout
Reviewed on December 29, 2008
Play it again and again Sam, and keep the lights dim. Another great write you share with us Gene. Thank you.

Newfie hugs, Rose

Reviewed by Axilea MU
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
Empathy and talent are needed to write this and reinterpret feelings, memories, thoughts. It's a great exercise of creative writing because so many aspects of writing and characterization are at work here, in a few lines.

Axilea

Reviewed by John Coppolella
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
Play it again Gene, er ah, Sam!



Darn good stuff. Somewhere in Morocco, a bar like this really exists.



Blue dots are everywhere. Leaving open the possibilities of an improbable future. An window in time that lets in the timeless morning air coming from Rick's. Thanks, Gene for not Bogarting that(joint)circa 1941 cigar! Rockie Coppolella

Reviewed by KJ McPhee
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
I'd like to hear Humphrey Bogart reading this, Gene. Cinematic, my friend!

Reviewed by Myrna Badgerow
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
Superb writing! I could hear Harry singing in my ear...

Myrna

Reviewed on December 28, 2008
A blast from the (smokey) past, with a vision of hope for future: of all the gin mills in all the world, I'm glad I stopped by yours. :) Well done, Gene, and Happy New Year!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Reviewed by Ed Matlack
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
And here I thought you going to Nathans for some delicious hot dogs...now I got the munchies...Ed

Reviewed by Southern Comfort
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
OOOOOOO Play It Again Sam! This was a yummy, delight! HUGS! SC

Reviewed by Juliet Waldron
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
My eyes were stinging from the cigg smoke-- This is the time of year for "Yesterday" stories, all wrapped, as Lloyd says, in that golden glow that requires a lot of forgetting. Great Goddess! How will any of us get through New Year?? :)

Reviewed by Lloyd Lofthouse
Reviewed on December 28, 2008
A step into the past with a reflection of the future in the mirror. Just came back from seeing the Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the title might be off but I'm close enough) and this poem fits. I guess nostalgia is sort of like the grass is greener. Where ever we are doesn’t seem as good as those edited memoires of yore. This poem goes down smooth like hundred year old scotch.


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