two mature women,
we follow each other
around our small town
from pharmacy to the
grocery store; probably
visited same hair stylist
(who is also my niece)
by shape of our haircuts
smile, exchange names
by parked grocery carts
mourn recent loss of
local coffee shop which
offered espresso, lattes,
(and favorite chai tea)
along with scones, tarts,
and crusty baguettes.
why couldn’t our town
sustain the business?
would anyone start it
again (sans machines,
a larger investment)?
we need a place like it
although obviously we
didn’t patronize enough
better than starbucks,
unique small town shop
with drive-up window
and friendliest service
has me contemplating
the reason for reading
(or even for writing) a
daily poem, served hot.
Borrowed line from L.L. Barkat: “contemplating the reason for reading a daily poem” for Poems from the Coffee Shop prompt at Tweetspeak Poetry. Also linking with dVerse Poets where Merril prompts us to write about “impermanence”.
a poem in my pocket 
Feb 26, 2020 @ 10:58:56
I liked the thought of a poem served hot at the end.
Feb 26, 2020 @ 17:14:26
me too…thanks, Frank 🙂
Feb 26, 2020 @ 01:36:38
Your poem is so real to me, Lynn! I spend my lunch break at a local café on Mondays and Fridays, when I listen to children read at a school in the same (ex) market town – it’s convenient and really friendly, owned by the parents of one of the pupils, and I often see people I know. They reserve a table for me in a corner where I can sit and drink my coffee, eat lunch and read poems on my Kindle undisturbed. All that in a small town that has been brought to its knees by a large supermarket chain.
Feb 26, 2020 @ 17:14:07
So glad you can enjoy your local cafe…thanks for sharing, Kim! I drive a bit farther to another town now for occasional coffee with friends.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 22:43:31
ahh! chai cheers for this lovely poem, Lynn!
Feb 26, 2020 @ 17:12:09
Cheers! 🙂
Feb 25, 2020 @ 20:09:38
Small businesses have a hard time in our chain store world. But they are my favourite.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 17:12:25
Unless the word franchise is uttered, small town family businesses are fading like sunshine on a cloudy day. Nostalgia bubbles up large within we seniors. I still hate rap, tattoos and tongue piercing.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 21:41:09
i hear you, Glenn 🙂
Feb 25, 2020 @ 16:50:44
Sadly, we all lament the impermanence of little mom and pop businesses. I feel your pain.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 17:02:36
thanks, Bev
Feb 25, 2020 @ 16:42:45
I love hot chai! As long as your poem’s writing inspired you and your poem inspired one, it’s worth it, Lynn.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 17:02:01
Thanks, Lisa.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 16:33:57
I try to support small businesses. Great poem!
Feb 25, 2020 @ 17:01:31
Yay! Thanks, Cami 🙂
Feb 25, 2020 @ 16:02:15
The impermanence of a small business–wonderful! Though sorry you lost your go-to place.
It’s a great topic though–and my parents and grandparents all had business that are no longer around.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 17:01:11
It’s challenging for businesses in rural areas.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 17:29:38
Yes, challenging everywhere, but rural places have their own unique challenges.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 13:45:20
I enjoyed this.
Feb 25, 2020 @ 15:32:18
Thanks for reading, Regine.