First off this took longer than 5 minutes to #FreeWrite. In my defense, I couldn't get that earworm Tiger by the tail out of my head and it started to fester until I had to write this poem about a west Texas dance hall. In fairness, the first stanza took only a minute or two and the turn came quickly too. However, by the fifth stanza we were well on our way to 20 minutes.
So, I broke my own rule, but I think this was a fun way to spend my morning working on a lyrical poem about my days on the South Plains of Texas. I hope you enjoy.
Texas Cafe (The Spoon) by Lubbock Nightclubs
I've got a tiger by the tail
Its plain to see came a Buck Owens wail
From the jukebox hidden near the bar
In a West Texas dance hall far
Away on a farm-to-market road
Near a cotton bale load
Hammer man tuned the piano, sunlight gave way to moon
Barmaid dried the glasses, as twilight settled around the Texas Spoon
A Post cowboy and a Hale Center millman
Rushed inside to find a spit can
Near the stage where Marcia Ball
Soon filled the dance hall
With girls swinging to the ivory
In a bluesy stomp-rock of zydeco finery
Hammer man tuned the piano, sunlight gave way to moon
Barmaid dried the glasses, as twilight settled around the Texas Spoon
The cowboy danced with a petite fireball
Grabbed her by the waist and kissed the doll
She smiled, drew closer, then ran away
Into the night air in a swirl of grey
A smoke cloud escaped out the front door
As the barrel racer looked back at her suitor
Hammer man tuned the piano, sunlight gave way to moon
Barmaid dried the glasses, as twilight settled around the Texas Spoon
Drunk and laughing he followed
Slapping his buddy desperado
Steadying his hand on friends shoulder
Stumbling on the wooden dance floor
Reaching the dusty parking lot to find her gone
Bouncing away in a F-250 Dually ranch wagon
Hammer man tuned the piano, sunlight gave way to moon
Barmaid dried the glasses, as twilight settled around the Texas Spoon
He tipped his hat back, swayed over the loam
The girl he knew would be home
With a shower, steak, eggs, coffee and biscuits
To sober him up for the next day of business
