The place became full of a watchful intentness ....
Thomas Hardy
The ruminating patrons openly stare,
as we sit down beneath the too bright lights
and adjust our backs to the two hard chairs.
Some look on with mere distaste, some with outright
hostility. By contrast, our existence
has been completely ignored by the waiters,
who seem to think that passive resistance
might repel the repellent invaders.
The last time I came here, it was high school days
and my companion was wearing a prom dress.
I remember thinking, in my naivet,
here was class. Anyplace with waiters, I guess.
Everyone, that night, beamed on us with favor.
She was, I suppose, more the right flavor.
