New Book of Poems Reflects on Guinan's

One former patron of Guinan's has just self-published a book of his poetry titled: "Writing in My Head: Guinan's, God and Other Things." There are several poems dedicated to the former pub and country store as well as members of the family.

With permission, here is an excerpt:

"The Communion of Saints"

It's Irish Night at Guinan's
first Thursday after the full moon
and the place is packed.

And there is a harp
And a bodhran
And a few accordions
And a whistle
And a few guitars
And a few fiddles
And some singers
And a lot of beer.

There are some writers
And plumbers
And a Governor
(with a State Police guard).
And restauranteurs
And real estate agents
And professors
And whoever else walks in.

And there is much talk and gaiety
until there is a hush when
Jim is ready to sing
"I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen"
And we all listen.
Kelly's behind the bar
Jim's in the kitchen
And we all take turns
putting money on
the deli register.

Trust abounds, laughter is king,
joy reigns, and we are friends
with people we don't even know.

And then it ends
And we all go home.
We are a funny people.

Copyright 2006 John F. McMullen (Originally published in "Cashing A Check.")

Comments

johnmac said…
Wendy,

You can post others as you fit; consider this a blanket endorsement.

I will join (and would love to see Guinan's folk there) ex-IBM engineer Don Wortzman, author of the non-fiction "Gyroverse", a theory of the universe, and the thriller "Daughters of Ishtar"; Salon writer and "Takeway" presence Mary Elizabeth Williams, author of "Gimme Shelter", a memoir of her house hunting in New York City (a journey that eventually led her to Inwood); and novelist George Hopkins, author of the mysteries "Blood Brothers" and "Collateral Consequences" (and, perhaps, some other mystery guests) at Coogan's Restaurant (4015 Broadway in Manahattan -- at 169th Street, next to New York Presbyterian Hospital - 212 928-1234) on Saturday, July 18th at 1:00 PM for short talks and book signings. I hope to see you there.

In anticipation of the event, I have just released my third collection of poetry, a short chapbook entitled "With A Chip On My Shoulder" ( https://www.createspace.com/3387258). It follows the earlier "Cashing A Check" (https://www.createspace.com/3368820) and the very recent "Writing In My Head -- Guinan's God, & Other Things" (https://www.createspace.com/3387759)
June 24, 2009 at 4:24 PM
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