Where to Go?

It’s time once again
For the All-Stars to meet.
To have some good company,
And something tasty to eat.

Please bear my exercise
In rhythm and rhyme,
As I reveal the restaurant;
It’s my pick this time.

But picking for the GAS club
Is no easy charge.
This assignment is sacred,
The burden is large.

And just to top it all off,
To increase my stress,
Dinner club falls on a special day—
Sara’s and my anniversary, no less.

Should I pick a place
That could honor my wife?
The woman who brings joy
Everyday to my life.

Such warmth and kindness,
Such unnerving beauty—
A place worthy of her?
What a daunting duty!

Her deep, soulful eyes, 
A smile powerless to resist—
A place worthy of her?
It couldn’t exist!

Her spirit so vibrant,
Her features so striking—
A place worthy of her?
Not a single one to my liking!

Her presence and grace,
How motherly tender—
A place worthy of her?
Impossible to render!

So thoughtful, selfless,
Creative, maternal—
A place worthy of her?
Not if my search were eternal!

How Luke brightens up,
Whenever she’s around—
A place worthy of her?
It couldn’t be found!

How thoughts of her
Constantly consume me—
A place worthy of her?
The prospect does doom me!

The glow that she radiates,
In which we are lucky to bask—
A place worthy of her?
It’s too much to ask!

An angel in the kitchen,
But a siren in the [inappropriate]—
A place worthy of her?
It’s impossible, I said!

Her touch so [inappropriate]
Her figure so [inappropriate]—
A place worthy of her?
The thought truly does vex me!

The curve of her [inappropriate]
And a gaze so [inappropriate]—
A place worthy of her?
A quest wholly unproductive!

Her humor and intellect,
Her infectious wit—
A place worthy of her?
Yeah, right – I quit!

A place worthy of her,
I knew I’d never find.
I needed a new approach
To decide where we’d dine.

I thought long and hard;
Scratched the old head.
Burger joint? Steakhouse?
Maybe vegan, instead?

How about seafood?
Or what about Lebanese?
Perhaps some café that
Serves wine and cheese?

Sushi is good,
But not everyone’s taste.
The deadline was looming,
I must pick with haste.

A chili dive joint,
All raw and gritty?
Or some posh bistro
Up in the city?

Then there’s Cajun and Creole.
Maybe the cuisine of Peru?
Even Pizza or Pakistani.
How about fondue?

Who would have thought?
So many choices, it hurts.
Maybe I could pick a place
That serves just desserts.

Where could we go for our 
Tastebud celebration?
Maybe I could figure it out
By process of elimination.

Thai, Mexican – done that.
Jamaican – been there.
Even had German, Moroccan,
And Ethiopian fare.

Indian’s already been picked,
Ain’t that a pity?
And barbeque two times –
Well, this is Kansas City.

Vietnamese was quite good.
Asian fusion, too, of course.
Italian was liked so much,
We had it twice without remorse.

We’d been so many places;
Most sweet, some sour.
But what would I do with the
Responsibility of my power?

So many great restaurants;
Such hard acts to be followed.
I sat down with a beer
And thought as I swallowed:

“We have eaten all kinds
Of foreign flora and fauna.
What we needed was a bit
Of good ol’ Americana.

“Not only that,
But the places we’ve selected
Have emphasized solids,
While liquids were neglected.”

I knew just the place,
No longer disheartened.
It would be the Brewing Company
In the City of Martin.

We’d seen our friend’s band there,
This Saturday last.
Jervis Jort was their name,
And they totally kicked behind (this is a family blog).

We could have some good food,
And domestic ale treasures.
Plus a couple of imports,
Just for good measure.

So please let me know
Who will attend the occasion.
Then I can take care of
Calling in the reservation.

It’s at five hundred east
One hundred thirty-fifth street.
Right near the train tracks,
That's where we’ll eat!

Now, it’s bit of a drive,
But don’t make a stink.
A good selection of beer
Is what’s important, I think.