Tea
He could have served her tea
before the conversation swerved to
seeing her at the station with Jack
who she dated back before they met.
“Will you leave me for Jack?” She left upset,
He remained, gazing at the leaves in her cup.
Prompt eighteen
Cloud Mountain
I tried to climb
To reach the top
Out of my comfort zone
No one told me how hard it was
When you start at the ocean floor
Drowning a bit in realization
I continue to rise
Getting to the surface
I struggle with the steps
Oh, wait I am swimming
Drowning a little
But I see my mountain
The clouds have left
One last leg
Just as I have it in my view
The clouds they come again
Hiding the cracks I need
For how am I to grasp
My heart, my breath
My cloud mountain
18 – table for two –
I wait as l have every year, candle lit, Jessie’s girl on repeat
a bottle of JACKS on the kitchen counter and an empty chair with
your name on it, an old fashioned roast in the oven, the table is
set for two, yet l stand by the window watching the rickety gate
for an older version of you to return, you went for a walk and l never left.
-s.j.duncan-
Table for Two
She sets your table, plops dinner down, and you eat.
No lust for the chore, no love for it any more, she washes dishes.
She serves you, like a debt, a duty, or a dog—for exchange.
Me, I’m dessert. I undress your mind, place desire on your table,
Luxuriate in your spine, the cup of your back, and your lips.
I serve you like a wife, a partner, and a chum—for love.
We laugh, talk, fuck, sleep, spoon, and wait, drinking in the hours
Until next we meet, a pair of arms entwined in exhausted heat.
For all that, she’s the one on the reservation, table for two.
Evening Fog In Silence
I sat by the seashore
To dream my solitary dreams
I looked upon the water
Nothing is as it seems
To dream my solitary dreams
I stare solemnly at the horizon
Nothing is as it seems
The evening fog comes in
I stare solemnly at the horizon
I sat by the seashore
The evening fog comes in
I looked upon the water
Sleepy baby Ana
Cage… Nicolage Nicolage. Cropped
hair bobs as you turn your head
on its side, flared nostrils, widened
then tightly shut blue eyes, jazz hands.
Your movements remain sharp as ever,
disjointed as the mouse that knocked
your birthday hat from your
three year old head. You’ll never
have curls again– your first haircut
robbed you, stole your curls despite
my prayers that you would
always remain that way.
Table for Two
We sit across from each other
your eyes never leave my face
looking for the mystery to be unlocked
why are we here, what is this place?
I cannot help your confusion
though I understand it better than most
we have been here before, you know
for birthdays, for eggs and toast.
We will keep returning, time after time
even though you no longer know my name
the familiar tablecloth, the glassware is the same.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE SILENT
consumption ran by itself
a chaotic constellation
nothingness
a statistical reality
translucent in my crystal ball
the masses are
swirling with currents and flows
natural matter
natural elements
in the image of-
so, at least, we are represented
Hour Eightteen
Write a poem to go with one of the following five titles:
At the Circus
Table for Two
Cloud Mountain
Evening Fog
Tea
Table for two
By Patricia Harris
Cozy, intimate,
A space for just you and I.
Allowing us to forget,
That the world surrounds.
Holding us to the rules
Of society around
The table for two
Where we stand.
Hour 18 – Prompt 18 – Table for Two
I am set as a Table for Two
Everyday, I am decorated with flair
to look my best as I welcome my guests
I have seen first love bloom
I have seen strangers click in conversations
I have seen proposals with promises of a lifetime
I have felt the presence of an invisible third
I have felt the strain of relationships breaking
I have felt the attempts at reconciliation
I have enjoyed the celebrations of a lifetime
I have experienced the anticipation of waiting
I have exulted in the joys of welcoming a child
The people I entertain changes everyday
The emotions vary within a given spectrum
I am set as a Table for Two
I have been decorated with flair
I am ready to welcome my guests today
(c) Vijaya Gowrisankar