At the Wine Bar
Embrace the riverlike and endless flow,
the rush of energy, the burgundy
of Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Merlot,
the golden Chardonnay and Pinot Gris,
the fevered throbbing, pulsing, beating, blind
viniferous sensations, sweet bouquet
of pepper, plum, or potpourri, a mind
aroused and reeling in a cabaret
of swirling savory intensity,
of sommeliers and temptresses aligned
behind the shimmering mahogany
where crystals chime to celebrate refined
society, the proper connoisseur
ensconced in merrymaking and hauteur.
Paul Buchheit is an author of books, poems, progressive essays, and scientific journal articles. He recently completed his first historical novel, 1871: Rivers on Fire. His poetry has appeared in The Lyric, Illinois State Poetry Society, Poets & Patrons of Chicagoland, Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest, Society of Classical Poets, and other publications.
I love this! ( especially “viniferous”!)
Thanks, Cynthia!
Wow — this is one real tour de force!
A perfect Shakespearean sonnet in one complete sentence, from start to finish; all masculine endings, making us of French words… and all of this introduced by a single imperative verb (“Embrace”). Talk about unapologetic aestheticism and pure fictive mimesis!
And Evan, as usual, chooses the perfect illustration to accompany it. What a delight is is to see this kind of highly professional work at the SCP.
Thank you, Joe. Your kind words are much appreciated!
Have you (have any of you) read Roger Scruton’s book I Drink Therefore I Am: A Philosopher’s Guide to Wine? My gut tells me that you (that all of you) would greatly appreciate it.
Exceedingly pleasing, Paul. I poured some Pinot Gris for atmosphere. The bar you create from a swirl of wine words takes me well beyond my evening glass at home, reminding me of countless classical compositions on the subject. With or without the wine, a refined society savors refreshment here.
Thanks, Margaret.
Oh what a deliciously mellifluous sonnet that flows like a Jeroboam of joy juice. Your sonnet has whipped me into a linguistic frenzy and sent me on a tipsy trip to Bacchanalian realms of wonder where the word “viniferous” shines Polaris-like in my firmament. I have never come across that word before and I just love it! Paul, thank you very much for your intoxicating poem and my new word!
You’re welcome, Susan, thanks so much for your wine-sweet words!
There are wine&diners, and then there are plain whiners. I need a rhyme for “Malbec.” You’re dealing from a full deck.