Neighborhood hangouts
used to be
taverns, Legion Halls
blue-collar guys
perched on vinyl-slick
swivel stools

Community nowadays
revolves around
coffee shops, breweries
a distillery that
serves lavish concoctions

Everything sounds
the same
every space a twist on
mod, industrial décor
galvanized steel with
overtones of oak –
wait, the beer? The whiskey?
The faux-wood floor?

Gone are the days of
shot-and-a-beer
watch the game regulars
replaced now with
hoppers
young couples, groups
seeking the
latest craft brew
boutique booze
whatever food truck
is there tonight

What once were
smoke-filled joints
now home to
hip cribbage players
board game aficionados
knitters who deftly knit one,
purl two without
knocking over
their wine glass

while they talk to the
new arrival
pulling laptop from hand
embroidered,
fair-trade satchel

and I sit there amidst it all
and wonder
where will the nostalgia
for all of this
eventually go to look back?

– Mark L. Lucker
© 2022
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