Tiki Bars are Good Places

A poem inspired by a recent visit from a good friend.

Tiki Bars are Good Places
by T Moya

In a quiet corner of this tiki bar,
We catch up after four years apart
With only Christmas cards and birthday calls
Between us.

First hour.
How’s work? What’s new?
The toll for time and place
Must be paid even amongst good friends.


Eventually the spirits dissolve
This temporary caution, dividing us
Flipping the inner switch that ignites
The resurrection of our dormant connection.

We float into the deeper waters of life –
Broken dreams, broken spouses, broken sex lives.
Unavoidable worthless evenings
Filled with silence.

Hour two.
Time and place, that an hour ago
Weakens our bond, become mortar binding us.
Familiarity finally flows.

We speak of disappointments and desires in
Tones reserved for those we know.
Unexpectedly you say,
“You know me better than…” I smile.

We laugh,
Agree we were at our best
In some younger place
Some younger time.

Last call.
Bond restored.
What’ll spark our bond again?
Perhaps this new memory –

You and I at a tiki bar sipping drinks in
Freaky tiki god glasses.