Writers Cafe - Once in a while, they still come back.

Once in a while,

as though pulled in by some desire

or force,

some decide to take a ride back

to Writers Cafe.

It's not always a long visit, yet

they still come back

as though returning to their old home.

"I remember Robbie,

or Marie, or Frieda P," they might say.

They may recall this place in a way 

one might remember

flags that lined porches

or trees on each side of the street where they lived.

But still, they remember this place.

Their names are still on the mailbox.

For better or worse, this is a community.

Some have moved on, as they should.

And some are still here, pruning nouns

or mowing verbs.

Some have even died.

The street may look different.

Trees may be bigger.

And old friends may be gone for good.

But on this block,

you're never turned away

no matter how long you've been gone

or how many times you move on.

There will always be opportunities to write about

the sun, the rain, a train...

Writers Cafe

on this block, once in a while,

they still come back.

Reviews

[Dennis Wolf]

Well, one of the new ones here. So far it doesn't look like the other sites I've been on.. Wattpad and writing.com.. Grrrrrr everything is about paying for getting advertised and the a*s kissing..

Don't care for that stuff, sooo after some exploration I decided on this site

We'll see how it goes.
Cheers

[Relic]

I wish you luck, Dennis. Thanks for the comment.

[Dennis Wolf]

Thank you, and.. No problem
This was an enjoyable read.
Cheers

[Belle]

Your poem feels like a gentle embrace for anyone who’s ever felt the tug of a place that shaped them. I love how you capture the pull of memory, the way real persons names, familiar routine, and even absent friends linger like footprints on a path. Reading it, I felt the warmth of a community that survives time and distance, a place where creativity and care are always waiting, no matter how long someone has been away.

It resonated deeply with me because I, too,
, return -- sometimes just for a moment, like right now, sometimes for reassurance that this space, these words, and this sense of belonging still exist. You've made something timeless here: a celebration of home, memory, and the persistence of connection. Thank you for writing it!

[Relic]

Thanks for your comment, Belle. I appreciate it.

[Marie Kinnett]

I've been here for awhile and I used this community to get away from school every now and then. I feel like I have a place in the community with my writing and comments.

[Relic]

I'm sure you do, Marie. Thanks for the comment.

[Marie Kinnett]

np everyone here is family

[redd Brick Keshner]

I really like how this captures the Café as more than just a site.
It feels like a neighborhood you can always return to,
even if the trees have grown and some of the old faces are gone.
The imagery of “pruning nouns” and “mowing verbs”
(brings the mind back to the accompanying visual)
is such a perfect way to describe the quiet, ongoing work of writing.
It’s a reminder that communities like this don’t vanish;
they evolve, and they’re always here to welcome us back.
TFS 🙏🕊️

[Relic]

Thanks so much for your comment on this, Redd. Much appreciated. :)

[redd Brick Keshner]

Most welcome, Relic 🕊🙏🏻 and thanks as well for gracing my pages.
Freds/RBK

[Ms claws]

Well hello my memories are some places like this. The home-sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think of those familiar places that have changed the next time I come around.
Your speech is perfect and helps me to see the scenes vividly.
Thanks (See? Not a BE in the entire comment!)

[Relic]

lol I'm glad to see that. Thanks for the comment. :)

[Ms claws]

You are very welcome and thanks for the help.

[An owl on the moon]

I love how you describe this world... this community... as I have kept coming back, time and time again. My mind remembers Robbie, and Marie, and Frieda... and I remember some of those we've lost. Used to have so much more time here, and I miss that... miss the interaction with other writers. May it always be that the Cafe is a place we can return to... and that it will feel like home... no matter how long it's been.

[Relic]

Thanks very much for your kind review, much appreciated.

[Ayesha Faiz]

I'm still new to Writers Cafe, but it already feels like home. Whenever I need to escape reality, I come here to read, share, and find inspiration. I also hope to inspire others. So far, everything's good. You poured genuine emotions and experiences while writing it, I could feel it.

[Relic]

I appreciate your comment, Ayesha. Thank you and welcome to WC.

[John Sullivan]

Old timer checking in for the first time in a while. So we do. Mowing our metaphors and pruning our participles, perhaps? Cheers.

[Relic]

Welcome back, John. The atmosphere is about the same with a few changes, but I think you'll find the friendly neighbors are still friendly. :)

[Emunah June.]

This was such a beautiful, nostalgic, cozy little rest stop! I feel like I just took a little journey through time! I remember when I very first started on this website, I was about 12-14 years old (I cant remember the exact date). Life is as life does and it whisked me away, and here I am, 28 years old, married, and feeling like this is still home. I love the familiar faces, and the new ones, and the way you poised this reminded me of those I used to see and those left behind. A torch lit for a neighborhood everlasting.

Legitimately brought a tear to my eye, I appreciate this. It brought a warmth I didnt realize I needed.

[Relic]

I really appreciate your comment, Emunah. Thanks.

[Richard🖌]

Dear Emunah June,
I checked your Stats: you joined WritersCafe on Nov 9, 2008, which would have made you 17 … a lovely, naïve young lady. 🤫

[Emunah June.]

Hey there, so in November 9th, 2008, I would not have been 17. I was 12, one week away from 13.

[Relic]

Oh my goodness, I hope know one sent you any sexually suggestive messages?

[Emunah June.]

Just one guy, who blocked me when I threatened to tell my parents. Hes still around...

[Relic]

Still here? Yikes. I hope he's not still doing it.

[Emunah June.]

I hope not. Im still blocked so, I can see he's here and not much else.

[Relic]

If it ever happens again keep blocking. Good luck.

[Richard🖌]

What caught my interest was that 4-weeks ago you said, "I remember when I very first started on this website, I was about 12-14 years old (I cant remember the exact date).and here I am, 28 years old, married, and feeling like this is still home."

Since you weren't sure, I looked at your stats to help you be sure.
Then, I saw you'd joined in 2008, and realized you'd joined a little bit later than you thought (assuming, the site's stats are correct,of course). I mean, the Café never makes mistakes … LOL!

Anyway, here's how I figured it: 2025 (now) minus 2008 (year you joined) = 17 years.
If you'd been 12, it would have been 2013 when you joined, but I'm just happy you're here now at any age.
Just thought it would be interesting to chat about.

But, this is why I rarely read others' reviews … I tend to get into trouble. 🙄

[Emunah June.]

Hang on, im very confused. The math isnt mathing. I am 28 years old. I was born in '96. Which means I wouldve been 11 (so I was wrong, but not the way youre saying). Your math is very wrong lol. I mean, I am happy to admit I was but a wee baby when I joined.

If you want to double check, you can put "November 16th 1996" in as my birthdate.

https://www.yourdateofbirth.com/how-old-was-i

[Green]

Sorry I just noticed this comment thread had popped up on my feed and because I enjoy a good math I felt I’d pop in. Hopefully my intrusiveness doesn’t bother anyone. The math is correct on both ends just Mr. Richard is drawing the wrong conclusions. The result of 17 doesn’t tell you how old she is or was just that she’s been on this site for 17 years. You’d then need to take that and subtract from her current age.

[Richard🖌]

Duhhh!
Me culpa, Emunah!🙄

Thanks, Green!👌
And, just think; I was an straight "A" math student!

Well, that WAS some years ago.🤭

[Emunah June.]

Lol, its all good! I thought I was losing my mind for a second, even I was wondering!!

[Caradoc]

Indeed we, who once pranced along the vaunted halls of the Cafe with heads held high, do return. The coffee and tea is nostalgic, if a bit cold after being left on the table for so long. But still, it is nice to browse the pages and paintings still hanging to let us remember that they “were someone, somewhere, sometime”. That’s a nod to one of my favorite poems I’ve read on this site, by Rain if you’ve ever looked at their page.

This prose definitely speaks to something I have long known and long done. I remember FriedaP and Robbie. I remember you, and Belle, and Pax, and Dewella. I remember many others as well. I miss them all. I miss this place, this Cafe of yearning and dreams. Maybe I’ll stay a bit longer this time.

Thank you for the post.

- Caradoc

[Relic]

I too miss the days when the site was more populated with gifted writers. I've seen some peek back in from time to time.

[Laz K.]

the word "community" is used in many different contexts: "the black community," "the trans community," etc. it often made me wonder if (not just the aforementioned ones, but other similar ones as well) they are really "communities" though. the way this concept is used in this poem rings more true, because it designates a diverse group that comes together for a common purpose: "to write about
the sun, the rain, a train..." regardless of age, race, sexual orientation. it is perhaps the best way to rise above petty differences.

[Relic]

I agree and like your thoughts on this, Laz. Thanks for the comment. :)