The Graveyard Shift

At midnight’s chime, poets rise again,
their verses echo on an ancient floor,
they drain their pints to ink their writing pen,
a séance of the rhymes they wrote on war.

The fire’s cold, the landlord long since expired,
yet still he pours from taps that groan.
They gather round, praying to be inspired
ghosts brood, while one carves couplets into stone.

Tonight, the door swings wide upon its hinges,
a stranger enters, threadbare, pale with grief.
One pint, he says, takes a seat and cringes
he sips, and tastes the afterlife beneath.

You’re one of us, the oldest ghost now speaks,
drink, and rhyme, reveal your new techniques.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: I'm not obsessed with ghosts, pubs or pints but I do enjoy the scenery.

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United Kingdom

Favorite Poets: Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite writers. Carol Ann Duffy, Philip Larkin, Ted Hughes, Wendy Cope and more.

This user supports Neopoet so it can be free to all

Comments

RoseBlack

3 months 1 week ago

A bar

I would like to visit. Maybe my job in the afterlife, ghost bartender....I love the mystery and bit of creepiness in this. The dark undertones are great. Really enjoyed it.

Ruby Lord

3 months 1 week ago

Hi Rose, you and me both. I'd

Hi Rose, you and me both. I'd order red wine, not in pints though. Thank you for reading and your comment. Take care, Ruby xx

Candlewitch

3 months 1 week ago

This Pub sounds like a great place to spend a rainy evening! Does it also serve dark beer? I'll bring Steven with me, he enjoys the darker beers for their aroma and flavor! I pint is just the right size for enjoyment!

My favorite lines are:

Tonight, the door swings wide upon its hinges,
a stranger enters, threadbare, pale with grief.
One pint, he says, takes a seat and cringes
he sips, and tastes the afterlife beneath.

You’re one of us, the oldest ghost now speaks,
drink, and rhyme, reveal your new techniques.

I love thinking there is a pub for poets and fans of poetry in the "Great Beyond!"
:) and stardust to you, Cat

Ruby Lord

3 months 1 week ago

Hi Cat, thank you for reading

Hi Cat, thank you for reading, commenting and picking out a verse you enjoyed in particular.
I like that one too, thank you.

Yes we can also provide rain on tap ha ha although the weather this week is glorious for England :)
Naturally they serve dark beer in that pub & the poets filter it through their dark thoughts and words.

Glad you liked it, Ruby xx :)