Soul Talking the Book

"SAVANNAH AND SO ON"

We pulled into old Savannah just in time to have some lunch
So we stopped at the Boars Head Tavern and on some she crab I did munch
Then we wandered down to the harbor and sat by the old Georgia Queen
Before you think that I’m disrespectful – the tour boat is just what I mean

Pene was feeling like walking and I just wanted to sit
And survey the scenery and people and just relax for a bit
I thought about going to Wet Willies a little pub right near by
The more I thought of Wet Willies the more that my mouth felt dry

So I wandered into Wet Willies and studied the drinks on the wall
I ordered a small Weak Willie ‘Cause that had no Alcohol
When Pene came back from her walk I felt totally satisfied
If I’d said that about any other Weak Willie I would surely have lied

Moving on – we drove to our lodging It was Eliza Thompson at Jones
The only thing not Eighteenth Century was the fact they had telephones
It was a wonderful Historic building right in the center of town
Whoever lived here long ago was a person of high re-known

At 5:30 we went to the parlor where we met our nice Lady host
She gave us the history around us and told of the resident ghost
Among the guests who were seated around us was a lady who seemed so uptight
Much as she loved old Savannah there were things that just were ‘not right’

She’d been to the Historic District and marveled at what she had seen
But when she’d gone down to the harbor she’d seen people eating ice-cream
Not only did she see the vision done by folks that were “lower than dirt”
She’d seen folks who were making a living by trying to “sell a T-shirt!”

What a shame that she had that experience when she could equally positive be
That the T-shirts were sold to bring joy and the ice-cream devoured with glee
This Lady was out to judge people and she made this abundantly clear
When we witnessed the next topic that we were ‘privileged’ to hear

The conversation got to the British and about how they were “so rude”
They talked in this negative strain ending up in ‘how bad was the food’
Pene was sitting across the room and I was right by the door
During this whole conversation I never once took the floor

I could see Pene beginning to squirm as she witnessed the words that they spoke
She knew it was most unusual for me not to support ‘my ain folk’
But I was just biding my time for that moment I knew would arrive
All this time they had not heard me speak soon they’d wish I was not alive

A young couple appeared in the doorway I stood up and welcomed them in
And I used such a posh English Accent that those guests jumped out of their skin
“Oh! do come in and join us!” I said. “We’re having a frightfully wonderful time –
Talking about the rude British and how things there are not so sublime!”

Pene jumped up from her chair in a moment she was by my side
Suggesting that p’raps we should leave now ‘cause their embarrassment they could not hide
Meanwhile the guests fell over themselves “I have a cousin who’s English!” said one
“And he’s really quite nice too!” but too late the damage was done

So Pene and I made our exit we laughed all the way down the street
Some folks should watch what they’re saying they don’t know who they’re going to meet
We kept on walking and laughing - we wandered right down Bull
We found a place called the Sixpence Pub and ate till our bellies were full

Then we sauntered back to our lodging to let our dinner fully digest
And went up to our beautiful bedroom laid down and had a rest
As soon as the clock hit 8:30 we went to partake in the treat
Of coffee and cookies and cheesecake in the parlor for us to eat

Here’s where we re-met the guests who came from the negative side
It seemed they were on the same journey so we chose not to go for the ride
They were still quite full of regret for the words they had earlier spoke
Why don’t they leave it alone – there’s nothing as funny as folk

After a night that was restless I found myself feeling quite low
I soon turned things over to God and Pene showed me the right way to go
I was nearing the end of my ‘journey’ and just had a lot on my mind
Here’s where a great friend like Pene comes in - a friend that is so good and kind

Then we went down and had Breakfast where a delicious repast was prepared
Food for Kings and Queens of England could never be compared
I just had to slip that bit in though it wasn’t how I truly felt
But they did fix a wonderful quiche that just made my ‘mouth melt’

Then Pene went off on a walking tour and me – I stayed behind
I had several things to take care of then a Post Office I needed to find
I stopped at the State Café for lunch and enjoyed a salad of greens
I sat outside in the sunshine – t’was most fitting to my means

Then Pene came and joined me when I was seated in the park
We decided to have afternoon tea and tried the Gryphon Tearoom for a lark
What wonderful place that turned out to be they had tea of every flavor
We sat on a seat by the window and talked of the wonderful memories we’d savor

Later on we went to a tavern where Gail Thurmond the pianist played
Her music and the food were delicious and we could have stayed and stayed
Savannah’s a beautiful city with ‘beaucoupe’ intrigue right there
So if you ever plan to stay - make sure that you have time to spare

We traveled from there to Richmond which for us had it’s own kind of flair
Here’s where we went to the other extreme - ate at Waffle house then said a prayer
Actually the Waffle House was good to us and Pene will vouch for that
Although we went in without one we each came out with a hat

Now we were closer to my hometown and I wanted Pene to see
An old friend of mine called Suni who is such a good friend to me
To get there we drove by Mount Vernon and saw daffodils and blossoms galore
By the time we saw the Potomac we were not sure we could take anymore


Suni fixed us a fine breakfast of tea and crumpets and eggs
Pretty soon we were joined by Tamatha my God-child with the beautiful legs
She spoke of her impending marriage and the groom that we had not met
Oh! Where did all the years go? I don’t think that I’m ready yet

Then we ‘tried’ to stop in Georgetown just to see Scott for a lark
But we soon found out what ‘trying’ can do – we could not find a place to park
Pene and I stopped at McGarveys an Annapolis hot spot to go
We had a lovely lunch there and I saw some folks that I know

Then we got on our way to Arnold - our final port of call
When we landed at my new digs it was the finest place of all
My eyes filled up with tears as I beheld the view
Could this place be Heaven? What did I just Do?

Then I heard the voice of Steve ringing loudly in my ear
He said “Let me show you to your room! I said. “It’s all downhill from here!” –
But no he proved me wrong - standing by our bedroom door
He flung the door wide open - I said. “Oh! Pene – look there’s more!”

The view from our bedroom window was even better than the last
I said. “Pene, I’ll never move from here – I think that the die is cast!”
We had a lovely visit with Steve and his friend Mark too
We laughed a lot about our journey and the things we had to do

That evening we went to Deep Creek to see Dick Gessner play
It was late and we were tired but we had fun anyway
My friends Folger, Anita and Maurie joined us at our table
We all sang songs for Pene - as much as we were able

The next day it was Sunday - we went to service at Unity
Then off to Gary’s Grill for Lunch that was special for me
Later I took Pene to Quiet Waters so she could have some time alone
Then we had a cook out and ate ‘til we wanted to groan

The next day we met my good friend Del at Riordans at City Dock
Then Pene went for a walk round town While I saw Mum and Dad on the clock
Later on that same day we met Folger and Scott
Of course we met at Squizitos ‘cause that’s the place that is hot

Pene got to see all the sights here including the new home of my friend Sally
Lunch at Regina’s dinner at Galway Bay with Dee and Ed –right up our ally
The last day that we were together Pene and I went to Del’s home
We did a wonderful meditation and lunch then to Allyson we did roam

Our final dinner we had in my home with my new friends Mark and Steve
We even ate home made cookies - what an ending you wouldn’t believe
The next day when we went to the airport so that Pene could catch her plane
We had nothing to feel bad about Yes! It was clear we both felt the same

By Mahri G. I. Best Copyright May 2001