A little about this poem: Artist Juan Parker and I have been friends (and have been aspiring to build our individual careers) for decades. We’ve been making a trip to Chicago once a year for over fifteen years click here to read about our trips.
My poem Rush Street was inspired by the memories of our trips. Jilly's is long gone now, it was a jazz bar that stood on Rush Street in the heart of Chicago and was named after Frank Sinatra's friend, restaurateur Jilly Rizzo. Some incredible memories were made there, some day I promise we will write a book about it.
I hope you enjoy it. Don't miss the details of tonight's giveaway below the poem!
RUSH STREET - 2004
Here we are on Rush Street
amongst all the beautiful people
tonight, much too tall to be blue
these eyes appear to be lying
because after all this time,
we seem to be the ones they're watching
dressed to the "t",
they think we have it nice and easy
but the strongest might get queasy
At the struggles we've seen
Jilly's was soaked in Sinatra,
contentment seemed a lonely dancer
I, an easy fool....because for a second it felt like
we had made it to the other side
here we are on Rush Street
amongst all the beautiful people
and city lights, much too tall to be blue
awash in merlot and a King Cole tune
there's not a problem in this world
that could've eclipsed my grin
not even another one on the chin
from reality, I've become immune
last night left me longing
how I wish I could remember her name
instead I sit wondering what it all means
and file it all away under, "some day".
Because, there we were on Rush Street
amongst all the beautiful people,
what memories, now to make them true.
Giveaway Details: Tonight I have the great pleasure of collaborating with Juan on this post. He’s offering two of his hand-painted t-shirts, pictured below, to two random commenters. Each of these one of a kind t-shirts took hours to paint and are autographed by the artist himself. The winner will be announced at the time of post closing! The revenue from this post will be shared 50/50 with Juan. Good luck!