On Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 3:00:17 AM UTC-5, JamieGillam wrote:
>
> FIRST IMPRESSIONS
> by Jamie Turner
> So I was just sitting down the stairs
> writing my usual crappy folly-fare--
> self-conscious deliveries from me to me--
> when he and his son, or some other one,
> sat down their backs in front of my chair.
> Nightly watching folks walking by for fun
> so too easily then did I watch them some.
> But oh! what a scene did I see then there.
>
> These rivertown palaces play merry for the weekly
> drinkers who crack that phat on the meekly poor.
> One after another come showered rummy guests
> stumbling past my viewing door.
> I thought this mister to be like all the rest--
> more drunk than he'd ever been before--
> when I heard him say "I'm so fucked up" to his son,
> or to some other lad sitting too close to ignore.
> The other'd watch and I'd also look.
> We both did slyly peek at him to see
> how in his hands three dollars he shook--
> unleft bills for someone's gratuity?--
> how his skinny legs swayed to hold their ground,
> how funny he begged for the other's sympathy,
> how low down his nose posed glasses round
> o'er where he'd peer to better closer see.
>
> What caught me quick was when he
> moved about a bit then suddenly just quit--
> like a dead clock--to stop and simply sit.
> Stuck-frozen in time this moonshine-mime
> was like that statue game from summertime
> I'd play when boys and girls were little.
> "Try not to sway or move or blink"
> the kids'd say "not even a twittle!"
> Soon I'm back to writer's play
> when after ten minutes passed away
> he suprised my eyes from their read
> by sitting straight up with great rigidity--
> you know I thought he might even ralph!
> He just threw one hand up to his scalp
> then stopped sharply short and undrawn.
> I could barely guess what this funky monkey was on!
>
> The other one, who could have been his son,
> who was probably around twenty-one--
> logically sound where gambling's found--
> who never looked round for help to come down,
> who seemed set to forget what debts to collect,
> who ignored the bores and whores there to bet,
> did gently relax and silently glanced at his pa,
> or at some other man he sat near and saw.
> This rummy did never smirk or smile
> but stayed quietly stuck in midair awhile.
> I couldn't move or write a word now
> 'cause it was me to freeze just to see how
> this mister might muster the littlest gesture
> while strangers were walking all around,
> while the other and I looked him up and down,
> while we three did make nary a sound.
> I plead with you to believe me who discloses
> that as he arose to go he froze standing still!
> Stuck then unstuck again his blinkless eyes
> looked in dismay at those crumpled dollar bills--
> overly staring as if they had shrunk in size.
> Stopping and starting so he looked not a bit fit
> while he tried walking away with his cub,
> or some other bub, smartly at his hip.
> Now was the time I rose up unplanned
> when I saw him stop short and sway--
> those loose legs were losing ground to stand.
> The son, or other, showed little disdain
> in beckoning the man on up and out.
> "Let's just try n' go" I saw him mouth
> but this clown was too high to respond.
> I decided to help get him where he belonged.
> As I walked up now from behind
> to be seen upclose for the very first time--
> they probably figured me as nosey not kind--
> did nevertheless ask of only him,
> not the fucked-up one but his obvious son--
> dunce-drunk dad did look just too damn dumb--
> if all was well with any degree of certainty.
> "We're okay mister" was all said he.
>
> Was their room above or near here real soon?
> "If you want some help it's no problem for me
> or just phone the hotel casino security"
> I said to the one who looked like the son.
> Leaving while wishing the good night I did bid
> his pa swayed near me to peer at me and say
> "I'm a diabetic but we'll be okay."
> Well now, silly rabbit, Trix really are for kids!
> Later on after an hour had gone some
> the two who came back now were three,
> the father with his daughter and son,
> and together they went into an all-night eatery.
> Then together they came out turning back to me
> coming by so Dad could catch my eye--
> writing down this sighting again was I--
> much straighter now when he stopped to reply
> just one word before away they all went.
> "Thanks" he said with some embarrassment.
> Escalators carried them down at the start
> and together they boarded single file to depart.
> One by one I watched them float up and away
> but before they vanished each turned to wave--
> first the daughter then her father and lastly he,
> the son who took good care in front of my chair.
> Soon the real loon was alone with his thoughts
> of first impressions and better relations sought.
> Shortly after then my eyes could barely see--
> those drops of mine did fall so easily.

Another great read from the old school archives..!