Written On Three Bar Napkins Poem by Bill Galvin

Page, Arizona

Didn’t want to eat at the resort motel prices,
So drove into town to get a burger.
Burger joint inept; lots of motion, no production,
So I came back to the bar at the resort.

Why? I ask. I see reasons in everything; so what?

Today I’m sadder than usual.
I dropped your locks at two sites that related to us
When we hiked the full depth of the Grand Canyon.
This is a strategic place in our lives.
I placed your locks at two trailheads. Double sad.

Anyway, a drink that I introduced to you
Is ordered twice while waiting for food.
It became your favorite elegant lounge drink,
As well as at home with friends:
Bombay Sapphire with tonic and lime.

I write on 3 bar napkins as I examine my drink,
And eventually my tequila chicken sandwich.

“This Bombay Sapphire helps me feel your presence.
Your favorite drink is working its way to me
To help me, as I feel so out of touch today,
And something’s not right.
Nothing prepares you for sitting at a bar,
Eating at a restaurant table, sleeping in a room,
Looking out over nature’s wonders,
For not two, but one.
Nothing prepares you for ordering for one,
Shopping for one, preparing meals for one,
Watching TV without concern for another’s tastes.
And you’d love this place;
And that makes being here so hard.”

Tears fall as I write this in my room.

“The bittersweetness of this trip,
To pay tribute to such a woman, such a wife,
To retrace our journeys of past rewarded.
To reunite physical with her soul is now my vocation.

I’m on verge of tears at the bar waiting for food.

My food is only acceptable; as I sit alone,
No one to discuss or complain with.
It may be great, but what does it matter?
We need someone to bounce ideas, reactions,
Concepts, off of. We need someone to trust
With good honest conversation.
Even on a business trip,
We can say this or that when we get home.

Today was one of my harder days,
With big memories, two reunions,
Wonderful back stories; sad reflection.

But, this world is for the living;
And I participate, but without my Deb; so, now,
I long to know what that other world looks like.
I want to be where my Deb is;
I need her by my side once more.”

Tears flow once more here in the room for one.

I pay the tab; she’s been busy, but sweet.
“Hey, Can you make one to go? ” “Sure can! ”
“Eight bucks, is it? ” “Right.” I leave a ten.
So, back in room, I work on number three,
As I record my thoughts on this eve.

And that’s it. Three bar napkins. Three Bombays.
Maybe that’s what it’s about.
I needed some good stiff drinks.

Tomorrow there will be hiking, as was today,
At Grand Canyon,
To find the right place and time at Bryce Canyon,
To reunite my lovely wife with another lovely place.

I guess I feel better than if I had a burger alone.
I guess I needed to be around people;
Even if I sat alone with bar napkins as my media.

Guess I’ll write about today, tomorrow.

I think there’s a nice moon up there tonight.

I’m tired.

4-1-2015