The Winner Is... Poets Pub Contest Winners

Make Yourself at Home (Michael Tyger) (January 2017)

Make Yourself at Home 

You find yourself there

wandering through volumes

of disorganized thought

as you stand lost and found

beneath the broken neon canopy

flickering until it lights up

and you realize just where you are

This is the only warm and inviting door

on the whole dark street

So you decide you will

go in for a bit

and toss back a few

at the Poet's Pub

You don't find an unfriendly face

As you walk at your own pace

to an open seat at the bar

and order a deep glass

of spirits

After it settles in

you begin to see better

There are many rooms

just beyond ordinary here

One room has large silken pillows

on raised floors for seats

Here and there poets gather

to engage their inspiration

and taste a flight of words

Some enjoy another space

to speak at random

and gather fleeting sentiment

in a rhythm like a song

Karaoke poetry is practiced there

The basement is where

the oldest scotch awaits

and yet you don't anticipate

that this is where you get in touch

with things dark and forgotten

Few take those steps alone

There is a room in back

for those who like to gamble

taking risks to bet it all

and let their hidden hearts

just ramble

You may find a favorite corner

with your thoughts alone

and yet you may fit right in

and make yourself at home

Either way the place is not

a place to just speak easy

Pour us a cup of your thoughts

at the Poet's Pub this evening