COCKTAIL NAPKIN HAIKU

Copy of BrittneyTwoA server I know from Davis Square (Somerville, MA), recently started a blog featuring restaurant haiku.  English language haiku is typically only three lines and is meant to capture a single moment, or feeling.  Here’s a description from WikiHow“When you see or notice something that makes you want to say to others, ‘Hey, look at that,’ that experience may well be suitable for a haiku.”

Haiku-style seems perfect for bar blogs — it’s in line with today’s shorter Twitter-like communication.  (“Easily digestible, aren’t they?” this server said when I raved about her posts.)

If you want the real deal, I suggest visiting her site . . . but here are few of my own in the general style.

 

A bartender’s life . . .

Finished with work, tired and burnt-out,
searching through the frig for something to eat.
So you have a beer.

 

If you’re going to behave like a little girl, where’s your . . .

You are a restaurant worm, talking
behind everyone’s back.  PssstPsssst.
Where’s your little skirt?

 

You know your life is different when . . .

Hit the snooze button twice — then
struggle to sit upright, bare feet on the floor.
Trying to get to work by 6:00 PM.

 

I’m tempted.  I’m flattered.  But . . .

I don’t know what scares me more
than the thought of another relationship
with someone who’s a little crazy.

 

Not even one more . . .

I could serve you another drink, but
then I’d lie down tonight, close my eyes
and I’d still see you sitting at my bar.

 

Will this shift ever end . . . ?

Making martinis, margaritas, the maple honey badgers.
Pouring the draft beer, the glasses of red and white wine.
How really good would any of them taste right now?

 

An older couple at the bar.   Tell yourself it’s none of your concern . . .

Back and forth under their breaths,
they continue to throw at each other
cupfuls of acid.

 

Service industry blues, thinking this is a tough way to make a living . . .

Busy night, customers swarm the bar.
So many are taking little bites
like ants crawling up your arm.

(This is not how I feel about bartending — for that see here, or here.  This is just a quick snapshot of a feeling I had once, when in a terrible mood, and every little thing a customer asked for seemed like a giant imposition.)

 

Running late . . .

Socks and underwear in a tub of soapy water in the sink.
Dry them in the microwave oven,
or on the car radiator as you drive to work.

(The radiator trick is from Caveman, Tales from a Bar.  The microwave method is my own.  Back next week with a more typical post.)

This entry was posted in Life on a Cocktail Napkin. Bookmark the permalink.

9 Responses to COCKTAIL NAPKIN HAIKU

  1. Mandy says:

    Nice! I love all of these so it’s hard to say which is a favorite, but the ants one got me!

  2. MikeQ says:

    Mandy: As you can tell, I’m not a poet, Mandy. But it was fun. I was just over to your site … you’ve got a new post up. On the run to work, just took a quick glance, but looking forward to diving into it later. 🙂

  3. Starbucks8294 says:

    I remember when it was only cold pizza and beer in the frig. After the pizza was gone, it was down to the beer like you say. These were ok but short. Like the stories better.

  4. MikeQ says:

    Starbucks8294: Those were the old days, right Starbucks? For a lot of barenders it’s still that way. Be back to the stories next week, my friend.

  5. JT says:

    Clever lines, but full blog stories capture and fulfill the imagination. JT

  6. Llylak says:

    My, my, did we wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Entertaining, and yes quick, but more “cutting” than your usual posts. :)~

  7. MikeQ says:

    JT: I know I’m falling behind the times, JT, but I agree. See you at the Jam on Sunday. (How about “There’s a red house over yonder … that’s where my baby stays.” You on vocals and drums … I’m hearing it in my head right now, and I think it fits your style perfectly.)

    Llylak: I think it’s just the haiku style, Lly … as I was jotting them down, the bitching aspect seemed to come more easily with the shortened format. Good to see you back here. : )

  8. Caveman says:

    Yeah Mike! Great post as usual. I have a new sock drying method you might be interested in. Before one of my shifts last week…I didn’t have time to do laundry…I washed my socks in the sink and since it was a nice day out…clipped them on the outside of my truck using the passenger window…and air dried them on the drive in. Worked like a charm.

  9. MikeQ says:

    Now that’s a great visual, Caveman … you bombing along in the truck, with the socks streaming behind. Great bartender’s slice of life. Glad to hear you got a new computer and are up and running again.

Leave a Reply to Mandy Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *