books revisited
she was standing there
by the hissing swirling espresso machine
in doc martins
kissing and thumping foam concoctions
brewed between her fingers
and beneath the white wrinkled t-shirt
she stood a firm attention
her hair pulled back tightly in brown curls
brightened with red dye
as she smiled at the wet headed teenager
leaning on her bar
in a corduroy jacket with thick brown lapels
and she is twirling the lemon cake
in front of him
as she passed my table
the smell of some mango skin lotion
following her like a sensual spirit
and she leans down to see what i'm reading
i am trapped by the small silver loop in her nose
and wonder where her tattoos are
and how i can convince her
though i'm passing through
i would like to change her life
open horizons not offered by retro boys
with handsome smiles and acne
but they are mates
and i am in tennis shoes
full-bearded and feeling Lawrencian
beyond my means
and the rain has started outside
he stares from a better vantage point
while she works her magic
on the huge white coffee mugs
filled cleanly with froth and chocolate sprinkles
both of their cheeks are flushed
as if the communication is happening
on a higher level
the psychology today in his hands
cannot hold his interest as she passes again
smelling of seduction and long showers
where she adds the honey tones
she supplies inspiration in a cup
not knowing her power over heart rates
and i want enriched milk
but defer to the non-fat
a skinny cappuccino
no chocolate sprinkles
that's the best part, she says
singing along with lazy billie holiday
is that all, she asks
