_____ by T E Vaughner

Sitting in a coffee house
You sipping coffee
Me sipping tea
Because I hate the taste of coffee
I like the smell
But the taste is just horrid

Anyway

I look at you raise your cup
Lips pursed in that way you do
When something is too hot
I look at my Gucci boots
And think that it is time
I had them shined
I take another sip

You nod your head to a tune
Only you can hear and
I think that after four years
The magic is all but depleted
And I am at once shocked and saddened
By that fact
Funny but I never expected this

At least not so soon

You absentmindedly twist your wedding band
I absentmindedly scratch my head
And I think this ring twisting
Must be some sort of sign from you
You want to twist me off
Twist off this marriage
Twist off this existence
That ceases to delight you anymore

Muted drum roll
Someone speaking into a mike, mouth too close
Oh God
Not more bad poetry
A plump woman in a sheath dress, which is too tight
Stands up and recites a poem
Something about thighs, supple thighs, thighs begging to be caressed

You look at me and grin
You've noticed my tortured expression
But you don't offer to get me out of here
Two more poets, numerous poems
More coffee, more tea
I fidget
Restless

I sigh

You look up
And your face is all Fourth of July wonderment
With a hint of too many days spent working overtime
And you smile the smile that used to melt the rock that lives in my belly
And my eyes tear up because the rock won't melt
And because, worst of all, you don't seem to notice
I turn and stare at the plump woman

You touch my hand
Honey, you say
Let's go home
Get naked
And make papier-mache mice
And when we're done
Let me pour chocolate sauce on your nipples and lick it off

I turn with a start but you are already standing
Holding out your hand
And I should be angry with you but I have missed you so much
That anger is useless now and I stand and take your hand
Blinking back the tears caused by the heat from the fire that rages in my belly
And I imagine I see the tips of two brown furry ears
Peeking out of your blue and white checkered Kangol

As you slide it onto your head and lead me out of the coffee house

Copyright © 2000. Used by permission of author. All Rights Reserved.