a poem in my pocket

Come in,

fresh-brewed

aroma greets

new day’s

patrons.

Early morning

regulars, seated

along counter,

turn stools to

eye new-comer

not wearing farm

cap and overalls.

Take their joe black,

swallow with local

market reports,

stir in complaints

about the weather.

Let’s do lunch—

animated cluster

of girlfriends

chatting over

old times and

new photos

of grandkids.

Laughter ripples

across bowls

of tomato soup,

toasty paninis

on the side.

Brisk afternoon

brings out

drive-thru

customers

who willingly

accept offer

of just baked

chocolate chunk

cookies to go

with a frothy

cappuccino

or chai tea.

Brief lull to

wipe tables

before evening

cafe crowd

trickles in.

Couples

converse,

clasping

steamy lattes

while college

students

lounge in

over-stuffed

chairs, staring

into glow of

personal

devices.

Caffeine is

on the menu

until barista

gathers last

empty cup,

manager

reconciles

register and

front door

jingles softly

as late-night

bean lover exits.

_____________

Day 15 of National Poetry Month…half-way mark of

this month’s challenge to write a poem a day!