The nob turnes clockwize as it squeaks a terrifing sound of
rust and something else,but you do not quite know what it
is,so your hand just pushes it away,as the door openes.a
sudden rush of warmth enteres your bones consuming every
frozen muscle which have thickened from the cold outside as
if saying:"please,embrace me".
Your ears have gotten used to that familiar,ever so inviting
noise of half filled beer mugs as they hit the tabels ever
so lightly.you smile,just a bit as you take of your heavy
coat you love so much.you bought it just for days like
this.the streching wool fabric reaching your feet,consuming
most of
you,warming.the place has began to fill up with crowd,thou
it probably wont be that crowdy this evening.a few seated
tabels have been occupide by men who wished to get rid of
the cold,of the loneliness.some of them are escorted by
their wifes,or atleast it seems so.the bartender is wiping
some glasses behind the bar,leaning his head slightly on his
left shoulder,while his eyes stare at the floor.a shuddering
feeling is running throu your spin,as you walk towards a
distaned table,laying your coat on a chair and sitting on
one next to it.there is no music in the background,but you
cant help noticing a wooden stage,much like the structure of
the place,situated infront of the tables.you look
arround,and your watching the pictures on the walls,many
photos,of important people,peaces of the past,peaces of this
place.
"What can i get you,sir?" the bartender says,so you order
your favorite beer."is it always so quiet this time of
evening?" ,you ask "sometimes it is "he says "but tonight we
have an open stage,a reading night if you will".i smiled
lightly and was left alone as he went for my drink."a
reading night" i thought to myself,as i turned the smile
into a thinking pose.the bartender returned with me beer,a
chilled 'leffe',so i took a drink,enjoying every wet feeling
of life,as it sould be.life feeled with warmth,empty of
worries.life looking at you,smiling,and handing you a second
chance,free of depression,of sickness,free of endless mind
blowing thoughts of everything and nothing all at once.a
hand reaching out for you,telling you its ok,its safe,its
only the begining...no more wondering if you made the right
choices,if everything is written or if the stone is
breakable.maybe there is more to it.maybe this place is only
a refuge,and the people beside me are loughing,as the music
in the backgroung revive their spirits.maybe the streets are
not so empty and cold,and you can hear voices,echos in your
ears,as they pass you by,loughing and enjoying this friday
night,not caring what the future beholds.ive seen this place
before.ive been here before.it is carved in my mind.in my
life.the empty cafe',the silence,the empty tables.the
thoughts.
i wonder what would be my thoughts after the next drink.i
leave some money on the table,drag the chair backwards, pick
up my coat and head towards the door.
Apperantly there was a reading tonight.a silent one.and im
sure i wasnt the only one reading this words in silence...in
my mind.I turn the nob and gaze one more time at the
crowd,as they drop the mugs of half filled beers on the
tables,with their sad expression leading to nothing.there it
is again,that horrifying noise of the nob.but now,it has
began to make sence.its familiar.i put on my coat,and head
towards the empty street,walking on the wet pavement under
my shoes ,leaning my head down,to avoid the chill,into the
cold air.