Musings by The Poet Loriet
Chance Meeting at Community Chest
Yes, I live in a small town,
tied together by river hangouts,
an old train track, and
a downtown five blocks long,
but in the past several years,
I've never met him anywhere
while running errands~never.
So, today, this morning,
I'm taking my time sipping
my cup of gratifyinly hot
coffee, my third indulgent cup,
and just took a book out
to read leisurely,
when I had a sudden wish
that the coffee was
something much stronger
and I lost my desire to read.
I heard "his" voice right
behind me, unmistakable.
Did he know I was here?
When did he come in?
I took deep breaths and
slowly packed my bag,
trying not to panic.
Yes, it was his voice.
I've heard it so many times
on my telephone, whispering
sweet nothings under the stars,
only today, he was saying,
"Ok boys, you tried the
banana walnut last time,
the strawberry looks good"
and he was joking with
the waitress, and I froze.
What would I say?
His boys were there.
"Hello, I've heard so much
about you boys. I'm your
daddy's ex-lover, so nice
to finally meet you."
No way in hell!
I feigned ignorance as
I made my way quickly
up to the register
to pay my bill.
From across the room,
I finally had the nerve
to glance his way,
and he was staring
right at me.
I know why he didn't
recognize me.
My hair, once long and straight,
now hangs in curly ringlets,
and his hair was ...gone?
Shaved completely bald.
I left as quick as I could,
shaken but not stirred,
this restaurant with
the man whose love
that I once relished
and was now on the rocks.
I stared at the train tracks,
wishing one would arrive
and whisk me away
from this love that
rides the rails.
All aboard
the ex-express.
Now calling all passengers.
Keep your hands and feet
inside the vehicle at all times,
and please stow all loose baggage
in the overhead compartment.
Have a nice ride!
Lori Beal
tied together by river hangouts,
an old train track, and
a downtown five blocks long,
but in the past several years,
I've never met him anywhere
while running errands~never.
So, today, this morning,
I'm taking my time sipping
my cup of gratifyinly hot
coffee, my third indulgent cup,
and just took a book out
to read leisurely,
when I had a sudden wish
that the coffee was
something much stronger
and I lost my desire to read.
I heard "his" voice right
behind me, unmistakable.
Did he know I was here?
When did he come in?
I took deep breaths and
slowly packed my bag,
trying not to panic.
Yes, it was his voice.
I've heard it so many times
on my telephone, whispering
sweet nothings under the stars,
only today, he was saying,
"Ok boys, you tried the
banana walnut last time,
the strawberry looks good"
and he was joking with
the waitress, and I froze.
What would I say?
His boys were there.
"Hello, I've heard so much
about you boys. I'm your
daddy's ex-lover, so nice
to finally meet you."
No way in hell!
I feigned ignorance as
I made my way quickly
up to the register
to pay my bill.
From across the room,
I finally had the nerve
to glance his way,
and he was staring
right at me.
I know why he didn't
recognize me.
My hair, once long and straight,
now hangs in curly ringlets,
and his hair was ...gone?
Shaved completely bald.
I left as quick as I could,
shaken but not stirred,
this restaurant with
the man whose love
that I once relished
and was now on the rocks.
I stared at the train tracks,
wishing one would arrive
and whisk me away
from this love that
rides the rails.
All aboard
the ex-express.
Now calling all passengers.
Keep your hands and feet
inside the vehicle at all times,
and please stow all loose baggage
in the overhead compartment.
Have a nice ride!
Lori Beal
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Chance Meeting at Community Chest
Chance Meeting at Community Chest
