Ode to Coffeetalk

Celebrated Coffeetalk,       coffee-king of Kaimuki,
music-head of Honolulu            whose tight territory
teemed with teenagers      and twenty-somethings
lured by loud lullabies    and lively lyrics of rock.
Brilliant battles of bands     engaged every Saturday’s evening,
where clashes of clamor     dragged on until daybreak.
In this castle of commotion,     magnificent microphone-maestros,
bold bass-barons,     daring drum devotees,
and golden guitar-gods    were respected as rock-royalty.
Ordinary office slaves by day,     but ruthless punk-rockers by night,
the unparalleled of the underground     were famously few
in the high halls      of Coffeetalk-country.
The Converse-children,    raccoon-eyed rebels,
and mohawked-minions     dwelled in this dark domain
that smelled of cigarette-stench     and excellent expresso.
Cops continuously patrolled     this curious corner,
hassling harmless youths     and murdering the music-fun,
which eventually ended     the rock-reign of Kaimuki.
Now Coffeetalk is calmly colorless     and Anna’s is the valiant venue,
but none ever forget    the glory-days of Coffeetalk.

by Sarah Omura
12th grade, ‘Iolani School