Poem no. 4 Careful Coffee

I sip my coffee carefully in the small cafe.
Carefully lift my scone, cutlery and napkin in turn.
I arrange them to my liking; I organise my space.

I sip my coffee carefully in the small cafe.
Shopping bags lean persistently against my ankles,
Heavy as small friendly dogs on the edge of sleep.

I sip my coffee carefully in the small cafe.
The waitress notes a fine young man easing his way into the queue.
I see her look away and smile as she tucks her hair carefully behind an ear.

I sip my coffee carefully in the small cafe.
Observe two ladies push unspoken thoughts across their plates
Then lift sweet-crumbed fingers to their mouths; tasting the words they have not said.

13 thoughts on “Poem no. 4 Careful Coffee

    1. Thank you! I was so sneakily watching the ladies who were sitting at the table next to mine (and trying not to get caught looking). This phrase came to mind as I saw them carefully mopping up crumbs…and not saying much!

  1. I like this poem, especially the subtle observations and the economy of words in describing the cafe and the feelings of being there.
    The exercise of the repeated line seems a bit forced, although it is effective. When you edit you might consider not making the repeats so rigidly alike.

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