J. Dowling

I will be greedy tonight, John,
and starve myself of people—
for you and the wash of color
on the tablet – Prague to Trieste
to my place where the crowds
swirled once
against the dark tide.
Pebbles
drop ... you and Dan
this brittle month – overlapping
ripples
in the ebb: our friends
an avalanche –
we cannot stop.
I look at the wall
in my bedroom for your image, empty
table, green-yellow chair, empty –
facing away,
hear our silent
conversation, private, always personal.
I want more, John,
for our solitude.
Thursday, December 18, 2012

A good read, Peter. Merry Christmas to you and the best of new years.

Les

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/24/2012 02:51PM by les712.

I do miss the poets and musicians I started with around 2002 who have since died: John Dowling, Dan Harrington, Ozzie, John Trumbo, Tony Vaughan, Susie Birkeland... there were others ... all of whom are barely known outside their own circle of friends but who made the Cafe Prague a vibrant, creative place for a good ten years.

A nice tribute, Peter. Heartfelt.

Mary

Reminds me a little of the bittersweet scene from "Les Miserables" when the young revolutionaries gather one last time in the cafe to toast their friends who died in the attack at the barricade.

It is easy to become maudlin when reminiscing about those we miss, but this is nicely written with just the right touch of rueful longing.

Joe

REST IN PEACE
YOU will always remain in out hearts!

JOHN DOWLING
John Dowling

On Dec. 16, 2012 poet, artist and publisher
John Dowling died in his sleep at home in North Beach.
He was a gentle man and beloved by all who knew him.
John Dowling"s watercolors perfectly captured
the colorful essence of San Francisco
where he lived and loved.
(photo of John by Rebecca Peters)

Cafe Trieste painting by John Dowling
CAFE TRIESTE (watercolor by John Dowling)

The Revolution in North Beach

The revolution in North Beach
sits at a table
in Caffe Trieste

It talks to a homeless man
sitting on the steps
in front of a church

It discusses
conspiracy theories of the rich
over glasses of wine
It murmurs with others
at around table
at Specs.
They break into abrupt laughter

The revolution in North Beach
makes shrines to Fidel
and hangs them on the living room wall
The revolution comes out of the mouth
of the gun
that sits locked away at home
away from the children.

Someone buys the revolution a drink
and they plan to go out to dinner later
It shares a joint
in a doorway
in Vallejo street
The revolution writes in a little notebook
"America is the middle class of the world."

© John Dowling
This poem was published in 'The North Beach Beat', Issue December, 2003 It is also included in John Dowling's illustrated chapbook titled "Lost Opportunity".
~~



DAN HARRINGTON

Dec. 2012~ San Francisco native, Dan Harrington was a musicIan and music Dan Harringtonwas his life. In the early 70's, Dan could often be found with his good friends, Jerry Ferraz, Tony Vaughan, and Ted Arvidson. They enjoyed going to poetry readings, writing songs and playing their music at the cafes.
Dan Harrington worked as a dock clerk for 30 years and traveled some too. When he retired he had even more time for his first love ~ music. He was already an expert guitarist and banjo player but when he would see an interesting instrument that he not tried before he would get it and begin to teach himself how to play it. He enjoyed sitting outside the Cafe Trieste and playing one or more of the instruments from his collection. On occasion Dan could be coaxed to sing his songs which were always much appreciated by his fans. Another thing Dan liked was the outdoors and going camping by himself. He was a quiet courteous man in this world but not of it. Dan Harrington died a month after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. And he left the world as unobtrusively as he had lived in it. His music and his manner are very much missed by his friends.
Dan Harrington lived in North Beach, San Francisco.

~~~~~~
Next year, Jerry Ferraz will be hosting the poetry reading with open mic on the third Thursday of each month at Bird and Beckett Books.
On Thursday January 17, 2013, there will be an open mic Memoriam for Dan Harrington. More information about that will be available soon.