COFFEE SHOP MORNINGS

By

Smokers gather outside the "Smoky Diner" window - unwanted under roof.

This mixed breed of dying cultures pack apart

and hang alone each day

but morn.

"Camaraderie wafts upon their strange smoky essence

each word punctuated by a puff, a cough, a choke.

Accomplishment becomes neither cause for, nor result of,

each dawning ceremony.

Years gone.

Minutes left.

They stay--before this day wakes up and learns their secret.

Lonely, tired, afraid--they wait!

Buoyed up

by launching words

and smoke.

Their chairs

now warm with impatience

for younger occupants.

They scatter slowly, singly, reluctantly.

Awaiting another dawn.