Heart to Heart

legacy (Bill Temple)

the lock echoed

through the empty room

ghostly specks

like silver spoons

sparkled in the light

.

hinges squeaked

as the door closed

eyes adjusted

memories rose

a saddened delight

.

he walked past

the barstools still

faded names

engraved with skill

ghosts of the past

.

the walls adorned

photos faded

written words

now grown shaded

still steadfast

.

above the stage

a painting hung

'our founder' captioned

a man unsung

whose vision came alive

.

and though he passed

many years ago

the legacy carried

continued to grow

and his vision survived

.

but time flew by

and times changed

priorities

got rearranged

and people moved on

.

one by one

empty chairs

the stage grew silent

no one shared

in time, all were gone

.

memories wilted

behind closed doors

echoes silenced

'till no more

only darkness remained

.

yet sometimes still

so legends say

ghostly poets

haunt to this day

for the doors to open again

.

he stepped upon

the stage's wooden floor

flicked a switch

and light once more

haloed the microphone

.

with somber steps

and teary eyes

he stepped to the mic

and with deep sigh, said

"Grandfather. I've come home."

.

"Been many years

that I have roamed

the endless highway

my only home

but my promise, remembered still"

.

"Though worthy not

I felt I was

to continue your legacy

simply because

you left it in your will."

.

"So travel far

for many years

I felt elation

cried rivers of tears

all emotions came my way."

.

"I sought the truth

inspiration found

discovered the words

foundation sound

so here I stand today."

.

"A promise made

shall come true

I will succeed

I promise you

the Pub will live again."

.

"No egos allowed

no religion or race

no colour, no genders

no difference in face

just a room of friends."

.

"And those before

shall live on

memories secured

in Poem or song

their voices will be loud."

.

"and generation next

their words will flow

one by one

they will show

Grandfather, I will make you proud"

.

he looked up

to the painting above

"From my heart

with all my love

this, I assure you."

.

in silence he stood

for a minute or so

then off the stage

he did go

to the front door, painted blue

.

one by one

the switches, on

the room glowed with life

the darkness gone

once again the poet's hub

.

he unlocked the door

to the window glanced

hit one last switch

a sign enhanced

'Welcome to the Poets Pub'