Ode to Tom Sarris

So long wrought iron, so long prime rib, riverboat salad bar
all that you did.
So long tiffany lamps, random busts, sky blue ceiling-
and the suit of armor I thought was appealing.

So long to piano, sagging booths, cafe chairs
the clock from The Willard, the balconies, the stairs.
So long you white columns and portico lamp,
stained glass and cocktails, a place to encamp.
Absurdly green dressing from this house alone-
goodbye unrepeatable; hello monochrome.

So long to indulgence and old paintings on the wall-
say howdy to progress four hundred feet tall.

(Tom Sarris Orleans House closed on January 15 2008)