FORGOTTEN TEXAS

In March 2024 I travelled to New Braunfels, Texas and spent days playing tennis and a night in Gruene Hall.  A friendly bar and music venue.  As usual with my camera in hand, I found people willing and open to share themselves.  I discovered stories in my photos (please look at my website) and my musings in an old note book and realized there was poetry hidden in there!

Transcript

Season 4 Episode 3 — FORGOTTEN TEXAS

In March 2024 I travelled to New Braunfels, Texas and spent days playing tennis and a night in Gruene Hall.  A friendly bar and music venue.  As usual with my camera in hand, I found people willing and open to share themselves.  I discovered stories in my photos (please look at my website) and my musings in an old note book and realized there was poetry hidden in there!

FRIENDLY TEXANS

A dozen empty beer bottles

Standing upright in a perfect circle

Carefully organized by name

in alphabetical order.

Despite my British blood

I would be flat on my back.

An opening to connect

conversation starts.

Where are we from?

Where are we going?

Why are we here?

Who are you?

Thinking the moment was complete

Turning back to my table

and my friend Chris from England

a hand reaches over 

two frosty bottles of local brew appear

an offering of friendship and generosity

for those visitors

from across the pond.

I still might end up 

flat on my back

CHUTZPAH IN GREUNE

Chutzpah energized by my creative spark.

Teddy says its sold out online

Still I ask in my best English accent

how can we get into this Texan 

musical experience

Happening here since 1878.

Go to the long line, 

someone will have extras.

That seems reasonable,

why not?

Not much later

moved by an unknown force,

or maybe 2 beers

I go back to Teddy.

I can get you in

just say your Teddy’s quests

and wait in line.

YES I thank her.

An hour later we join

the long snake of a line

Out of nowhere Teddy appears

guiding us to the front of the line.

the musical note stamped on our hands

our entry tattoo

opens the door 

to this musical adventure

MASON THE MUSICIAN 

Sitting and waiting quietly

one arm holds his guitar

one arm is the canvas for his tattoo

he writes his name, Mason

right handed

he plays left handed.

Musicians have their dreams

I can see it on his arm

They enliven our world

sharing their visions

in harmonies and words.

TEXAS TATTOOS

In the line to GREUNE hall

they smile and pose

offering their body art

They love their tattoos 

changing arms, legs and necks

and hidden skin

into works of arts holding

their messages and dreams.

The Texas rose 

who loves her mother.

The bulldog owner.

The one dreaming

of elephants and Africa.

The hairy patriot.

We become connected 

as I step into their story

honoring their personal vision,

feeling their divine spark

ENTERTAINMENT

Downtown NEW Braunfels

The colorful mural shows it all

Here in GREUNE hall 

music and Dancing is alive

The Two bands each fill the space

with heart felt words

and throbbing beats

Shoulder to shoulder fans sway

In the quiet time between sets

I meet an Indian California family

a prelude to Kamala Harris maybe

three generations together

Other happy friends together

offer their iPhones

I fulfill my photographer role

finding the angle where the light

illuminates their smiling faces

I will leave this part of Texas

re-educated 

Feeling the friendliness of its people

even though they eat too many cows

for this vegetarian.

©MARTINSTRASMORE2024