Jane Seskin, the originator of the WSR Poetry Corner, has written a poem about Indie Food and Wine, located inside Lincoln Center’s Film Society on W. 65th Street between Amsterdam and Broadway. Her beloved go-to cafe for a decade, “it’s either leaving, moving, or closing by January 31,” she wrote. (It’s closing.) “OH NO!”
“Room Service”
By Jane Seskin
I’ve sat in this space three blocks from
my house with a friend for lunch, afternoon
snack, following theatre and alone with
a newspaper or my notebook for company.
They’ve served the same menu of soups,
salads and sandwiches for the past ten years.
Comfort food in winter when the building is not
producing enough heat and in summer when
the air does not fully cool us off. I stay because
there’s an incredible Buttermilk Chicken on
a ciabatta roll with arugula, sharp cheddar,
and basil pesto. The café has long been
a welcome ‘time out’ at odd hours in the day.
I know the stories of the young wait-staff
and am greeted as if we were in a segment
of Cheers. This could be my office early
in the morning when I share the room
with perhaps four other diners on their laptops.
Having coffee, I look out the picture window
at the world in motion and am grateful to be
in attendance.
And now … it’s all ending.
New owners, five “dudes” the waiter calls
them, have been pacing, measuring, making
notes, talking of their new Italian restaurant.
I feel disoriented at the impending dislocation,
though understand there’s never been a guarantee
on constancy. I know people, places and things
change without any input from me.
My growth is in the acceptance.
Jane Seskin, LCSW is a psychotherapist and writer. Her latest book is the poetry collection Older Wiser Shorter: An Emotional Road Trip to Membership in theSenior Class.
very nice, a sentiment shared by many, i’m sure; thanks for sharing
Great poem! Captures the bittersweet feeling of losing something familiar and knowing that change is inevitable. Thanks, Jane.
Great poem from local UWSer Jane Seskin. She has an AMAZING book of poetry called Older, Wiser, Shorter that I bought (and rebought) on Amazon. Thanks for posting her work!
Jane Seskin’s poem about Indie’s closing captures the essence of this neighborhood spot. I hope it relocates close by. And that the staff comes along. Especially Hugo. It will be greatly missed. At least we have Jane’s poem to remind us of the pleasures derived from community based restaurants.
What a wonderful poem. Jane Seskin’ captured the essence of this special intimate Indie experience in our special upper west side neighborhood. Thank you Jane!!
We are all grateful to Jane , writer poet, for the beautiful poem, which clearly illustrates a very big anticipated loss that we are feeling …
the loss of future moments spent at Indie sharing with each other, our lives.. thank you, Jane. You perfectly captured our communal loss.
This poem tweaked my heartstrings, Ms. Seskin. You had me sitting there with you, looking out that window with you, toasted in the warmth surrounding you despite it being a bit too cold on a winter’s day, and then again on the opposite side of the seasons as the fresh breeze of the place sweetly cooled the heat of summer. What a beloved place Indie has been for you. I’m sorry for your loss but also so, so, grateful that you had this wonderful respite and home to fulfill such a large, and also somewhat small, part of your life.
Love the poem-puts memories and feelings into words. Indie- always delicious and a wonderful go-to. Hope they pop up somewhere again soon.
I’m left wondering why Indie is due to close, does anyone have any info? It seems like such an asset to Lincoln Center and it’s almost always busy.
A lovely piece of work. Made me think of some of the places that I’ve lost over the decades.