Whiskey Blues: A Journey Through Memory

A low‑lit bar hummed with the slow ache

of whiskey blues—

that kind of song that settles into the ribs

and reminds a man what he’s carried too long.

He sat alone,

hands wrapped around a glass

like it was the last warm thing in his life.

Years of odd jobs,

bus stations,

cheap rooms with thin walls,

and miles of road dust

hung on him like an old coat.

Then he saw her.

Across the room,

in the glow of a neon beer sign,

a familiar shape of a life he once knew.

She had aged—

of course, she had—

But time had been kind,

etching a quiet, mature beauty

into the lines of her face.

A beauty that didn’t ask for attention,

but earned it.

He felt something shift inside him,

a memory rising like smoke

from a long‑forgotten fire.

School hallways.

Shared jokes.

A world where everything

still felt possible.

He stood,

heart thudding like a fist on a locked door,

and walked toward her.

Each step felt like crossing years.

When he reached her table,

He said her name—

soft, unsure,

as if it might break in his mouth.

She looked up.

And in that dim bar,

with blues humming low,

her eyes lit with recognition—

a spark,

a warmth,

a small doorway back into the past.

For the first time in a long while,

He felt the night open.

47 responses to “Whiskey Blues: A Journey Through Memory”

    1. Thanks Anonymole. I’m back to the land of the living and trying to blow some dust out of the attic. Thought I’d try a post to see if I could remember how.

      Like

  1. This is a really beautiful and moving poem, Daniel.
    I’ve been feeling like this the past couple of weeks.

    Wishing I could meet a female friendly face from yesteryear and for the first time in a while feel the night open for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think this is a common feeling these days when all the rigmarole has stopped twisting, we start missing the better memories or wish we could start some new ones. Keep following Pan Goatee. He knows a good woman when he sees one. If he sees one.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much. I thought it would be nice to have a ray of hope in my post after so much darkness descending upon us.

      Like

      1. It was a true pleasure to read.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’ve experimented with so many subjects as a Learning process, which means it gets messy at times. This time, I just wanted to touch on something time exposes us all to in one way or another.

          Like

          1. The photo went perfectly with your words. The lighting emphasized the spark between them.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. That spark is so representative of our connection to others whether family, friends, or partner. As long as the spark is alive, we have hope.

              Like

              1. Agree completely.

                Liked by 1 person

  2. Nice to not be beaten over the head with narrative voice but rather exposed to something. Poetry isn’t pretty, every word matters. Forgetting the classics we turn to what matters, can be said in as few words as possible. Every verse of “Tangled Up In Blue” is a novel. Boil this down to about six lines and leave the Chandler similes on that chipped Formica table with the ashtray the waitress changes out even when it hasn’t been used. Whiskey and the blues and someone I knew when the world was new. Of course I’d overwrite the shit out of it😂 nice to know you’re still above the ground.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. LOL! Does this mean my dribble brings out the best in you, Phil? This reminds me when I was a wee lad trying to be a Carpenter. We addressed each other as Carpenter Dan or Carpenter Phil. This meant one was worthy of the title. However, if one botched a job such as cutting rafters that fit with a bit of sunlight peaking through the joint, you became a cobbler. Carpenter Phil would then admonish and take it upon himself to attempt to educate cobbler Dan on proper geometry, cutting, and measuring skills. In the presence of a Carpenter, I’ll always be a cobbler. Thank you for your effort Carpenter Phil.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s funny. I have an editor who is always trying to sell me Chandleresque similes and a few here and there are like cumin or garlic – fine for some flavor. But like adverbs, given any elbow room they take over😂 He said, slamming his desk chair into place like it owed him money. Carry on. I hate that. It’s too close to carrion.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Yes indeed. It’s almost a cloying feel even as I write it. But, when in Chandler town on Noir street, a phrase that smacks you in the teeth like a pair of well used brass knuckles from a pawn shop on devastation avenue is customary, especially for all us novice word cobblers. However, I do accept that one should always try harder and get better. Your voice of reason remains loud and clear.

          Like

          1. I beta read a book for a gay guy who was the king (Queen?) of simile. Not very far into the book I asked him, “Does everything have to be like something else, or by description can it stand on it’s own?” The other problem was soapboxing about the bible belt with those similes, which growing up gay in small town Oklahoma might have been justified but needed a different home. Let’s all tell lies that look like stories and call it a day!

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Isn’t it interesting that for the most part getting it exactly right is no secret. Right is well documented and endless examples exist, yet we neophytes choose to do it all wrong. And we like it that way. I liked to say failure is always an option. In fact, it is the best option because it is easy to implement. You are going to hate my next experiment with bare minimum text. Short dialog sentences, few tags, and regular descriptive texts in violation of good writing and common sense. I use AI generated images in an attempt to show AI is not ready to replace real art and photography. I use Grammarly to keep the worst of the suck out. Can Ozempic writing pass the smell test? Don’t read this on a full stomach when it posts. The objective is not to cause indigestion or a frontal cortex infarction but I can’t guarantee individual results.

              Like

  3. Such a lovely piece of nostalgia. One never knows when on the bluest night we might catch a glance of someone we know from long ago and feel that lost spark come alive. This is truly a delicious bittersweet melancholic delight, Dan. 🕯️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you liked this, Rene. After a long spell, I suddenly felt inspired. The Whiskey Blues scene is straight out of my 20 something life when quaint neighborhood bars were fun places to meet up with friends. I thought what if after a lifetime, one goes back and meets an old friend? I have a little D&R arriving at the island surprise coming up. I think you’ll like it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Now I am very intrigued and exited. I’ve missed D & R and the island. 🏝️ It seems a good time to escape!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I thought so too. We have such a detailed view of the beauty and peace that awaits. It seemed like the perfect time. I’m using AI images for the scene. I’m hoping I can keep the same character looks. The magic is there and so is the pear wine.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m sure it will be a respite from the present situation here. You’re an amazing writer , you can carry us away with your gift with words . Thank you for that.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I have a few ideas from our discussions I’d like to try. A nice departure from the mainland to a place of tranquility where evenings the coconut crab cabaret perform their dance and the cask of pear wine is never empty.

          Like

  5. Excellent write, Dan.

    It feels rich and hopeful, filled with atmosphere. Love this.

    Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Resa! That was the vibe I was going for. We have all the darkness we need now so, I thought I’d pivot over to hope and redemption from the shadow life.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Works for me, thanks dan!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. My pleasure Resa! Sundays are nap days for me. If I dream up another story, I’ll be trying to figure out WP and posting it right here.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Lol!!
            Good ol’ WP. It’s a love/hate relationship. xx

            Liked by 1 person

            1. I find myself saying, “That will have to do,” a lot with WP. I never heard who won the battle between WP the organization and WP the software and hosting. They were at war with themselves and it certainly showed in WP’s poor performance. But, they own 80% of the internet traffic, what we gonna do?

              Liked by 1 person

              1. At war with themselves?
                How apropos for man: what he builds, where he’s going, what he believes, who he is ad infinitum.

                Liked by 1 person

                1. An excellent statement to add to our understanding of why we do what we do when there is no point to what was done.

                  Liked by 1 person

  6. beautifully written. All accolades already mentioned are true. But I’m here to say that your “Bogart/Bacall” fantasy differs from my reality. First, I wouldn’t meet anyone in a bar as I never go to bars any longer. I would, however, run into them on FB or some other social media outlet. I would immediately be aghast at their resemblance to soulless witches and wonder what I ever saw in them to begin with, be glad I never married them and got as far away as I could. (I’m sure the feeling would be mutual, but I no longer care.) Aging works in both directions on both sexes. I may then long for their youthful beauty once again, as well as my own….and that would be my story.

    Glad you’re writing again keep it coming it was quite memorable.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Bro! Thanks for dropping by and adding some reality to the mix. The truth be told, I do not go to bars any more either. I do go to my recliner and nap peacefully. That’s how I came up with these stories. More on the way soon. Not sure how long I’ll hold up, but while the caffeine is holding my eyelids open, I’ll give it a try. I’ve probably been a geezer in several past lives, but I can’t remember anything so all the lessons I learned about being old and wise are in need of refresher courses. I’m using the braille method and feeling my way through it.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Brah, your romantic revelry beats my reality hands down.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Inspite of reality, I still dream vividly and I no longer look to the future for respite, I go to sleep and dream.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Keep sharing those dreams ’cause we’re all here waiting.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. LOL! I’ll give it the ole mortar infantry best shot and hope to get close.

              Like

  7. I’ve thought of you so often. It’s great to see you taking a few minutes to write. I know your life is full of challenges yet I know you love Tiger Mom and will have her back until the end. You’re a stand up guy who if faithful to your vows. I would love to check-up, I’ll email so we have privacy. I know you have your medical challenges with little support. Hugs and sending the best wishes to your wife. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you M. She got the diagnosis of doom the other day. The Amyloid plaques are stacking up. That’s a real polite way of saying you got worse. She doesn’t know what Amyloid plaques are and I’m not saying anything. I told her it meant she needed to stop demon dialing her daughters and take a nap. I thought I’d try to post when I could. The weather has been decent and I’m getting back to nature to hunt for some more Zen.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Great, caregivers have to take time for themselves.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That’s a quick fuse to burnout. Can’t wait until we have AI robots to do all the heavy lifting.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. We’ll be long gone before we could afford it since it’s not prefected.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. In the mean time, I’ll hang in there.

              Like

  8. Can I reblog? People love your work.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Certainly. Be my guest and thank you. 😌

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Hyperion Cancel reply