The date was just for coffee. Only that,
A brisk October night. And when she smiled
And stepped inside the door, from where he sat,
As nervous maybe, as a stubborn child
Prepared to face a stern piano master
Because he hadn't practiced, his surprise
Was comfort. Secret inklings of - disaster?
Were quieted, by warm, familiar eyes,
Her open coat, and scarf. He liked the fall,
And faces wrapped in wools, and woven things.
She sat, took in the menu on the wall;
He studied her. She wore a pair of rings
He'd never noticed. Silver. And the street
Beyond her, through the window; and the lights
Of cars and shops. He ordered soup to eat,
And she her coffee. These forgotten sights,
The comings and the goings just outside,
A window to it all; a woman's smile,
The feelings that he'd tried so long to hide.
He hadn't thought of autumn for a while.
He hadn't thought of prettiness at night,
Or listening to stories, or delight.


Salon.com
Comments
I love the nervousness and the surprise of comfort,
the familiarity, how it can awaken our senses.
Thank you DB, this is superb.
A window to it all; a woman's smile,
The feelings that he'd tried so long to hide.
He hadn't thought of autumn for a while.
He hadn't thought of prettiness at night,
Or listening to stories, or delight."
Beautiful .... oh so beautiful ... your poetry and that you feel and see these things again, DB. I am so very happy for you, my friend. So very happy.
Thank you for sharing you with us.
And faces wrapped in wools, and woven things."
Beautiful.
Were quieted, by warm, familiar eyes"
I could feel it Bard, the quiet of inklings. Wonderful
Excellent, satisfying poem, Bard. "He hadn't thought of autumn for a while" struck me especially, for some inexplicable and perhaps inscrutable reason...
__iq__, yes and the chilliness is a big part of it. Maybe it's just me.
Kim: I've brought all of my links up to date tonight. You should be able to find Coffee #4 over there on the left now. But she's not in it, there's just someone imagined in passing. Glad you liked it, by the way.
rita, thanks. It was a lovely evening too.
Pilgrim, boy does it EVER. (But it looks like THOSE nights are coming back soon.)
Muse, thanks for your wishes, and the rate. I'm happy for readers, so I can do this.
Kate, thanks. Hey, it's spring down there, isn't it!
scupper, that is perfectly put. Thanks.
anna1, thank you for that analogy. It's lovely, and kindof flattering.
Antoinette, what can I say, it's my favorite season.
c&v, yes yes yes. I remember a date, long ago, whose bottom teeth somehow got mixed up with the streelights. I'm not sure how it happened, I think her eyes triggered it.
maryway, thank you so much. Please continue to check -- if you see me slip, send me a PM and we'll hammer it out.
Midwest, aha - you're transplanted, aren't you? Are you missing it?
Brassawe, you have a real knack for bringing someone down to earth. But it's a safe place to be (the fall is shorter), so thanks.
trilogy, I am so glad you liked that line - I went back and forth a thousand time, about "inklings".
Fox, I admitted a long time ago that autumn was my favorite season. I sense that it's waiting for you to do the same.
Fusun, thank you. And thank you twice. You are very sweet.
That's all tonight! Aw man, look at the time...
and somehow, deliciously heartbreaking