A rainy August evening.
She takes a cab to Santaniello’s.
It’s nice inside. Slips off her coat,
shakes her brolly, makes
a b-line for ‘their’ table.
Discretely winks at the waiter.
He smiles. Says, “Hello.”
Brings her a menu, although
she knows he knows
she’ll have her usual.
Colin’s late again,
for the third time this week.
Runs her fingers through her hair –
stirs her coffee. Takes her spoon,
traces patterns on the cloth.
Looks at the clock –
checks her watch.
She’s dying for a fag.
Just as well she’d given up.
They’d been meeting here for ages
since they’d got engaged
some two years down the line.
Not ready yet to settle down.
“Soon,” he’d said,
which she respected. He was,
always would be, his own man.
An hour or more goes by.
She takes a compact from her bag,
leisurely powders her nose.
Pays for the cappuccinos,
is putting on her coat
when Colin walks in,
the back way.
“Fuck you!” she tells him.
He’s taken aback. Says he’s sorry
he’s late, but something came up –
a pressing commitment.
“I know,” she says. “I watched you
kiss her goodbye – hands squeezing thighs.
Shall I … expand on that? Except,
don’t waste your breath. You see
it’s all done with mirrors. I saw everything …
And on reflection, much more besides.
Comments
Bradene | November 28, 2008 - 12:09
Gets better every time I read this. Great one Tina Val x
MistakenMagic | November 28, 2008 - 20:47
Love it :) The last two stanzas were perfect! I love it when women get their own back.
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | November 29, 2008 - 09:06
Val, thank you:-) Have a good weekend.
Tina xx
Silver Spun Sand | November 29, 2008 - 09:08
Magic - I agree with you, hands down! Glad you enjoyed it:-)
Tina xxx
jennifer | November 29, 2008 - 10:32
Clever twist, excellent narrative poem. So sad...!
Silver Spun Sand | November 29, 2008 - 14:41
Good to hear from you, jennifer. Thanks for reading ... and yes, it is sad:-(
Tina :-)
littleditty | November 29, 2008 - 19:10
great storytelling - what a git - love how she calmly pays for the coffee - what a woman! :) xx
Silver Spun Sand | November 29, 2008 - 19:15
Ain't she just! Cheers, ld. Have a great weekend:-)
Tina xx
Nathan Bednarek | November 29, 2008 - 23:58
'Brings her a menu, although
she knows he knows
she’ll have her usual.'
These lines are great, but I agree with the others that the last two lines are a joy to behold!
Great stuff this, but I'd suggest one thing- looking at the use of words and structure I think you should ... keep posting more and more of your work! ;-p
Just teasing you. There's nothing to improve- it's as good as it gets and more! Well done.
Nathan.
Silver Spun Sand | November 30, 2008 - 08:35
So good to hear from you, Nathan. I hope you are well:-)
Thank you for reading and enjoying and you know how much I appreciate that ... and the brilliant suggestions you sometimes give to me about my writing, that really do make all the difference. That I value more than anything.
Tina.