Mario Petrucci
Rhymes
He always sat with coffee and eggs, endlessly
humoured by the long distance drivers.
Everything rhymes, he said one day
out of nowhere, peering through greasy glass.
Several heads turned
a fraction. Pupils slid; were cornered.
Truck-wheels fizzing in rain,
explosions of silver on firework night,
an orange in a sky-blue bowl,
and the sun about to settle on water …
The waitress glanced knowingly across,
slowly shook her head.
Can’t you see it? He was tender as mist.
Everything meets everything else. Somehow.
Alf had had enough, coughed loudly,
rustled up his paper round his ears.
A cat’s tongue on your chin,
a fig-leaf between finger and thumb,
a chunk of Danish dough, and a baby’s
fist; a boiling kettle, and the springs
of Avon, making tea for strangers,
Mother Teresa …
A group of three rose as one, wiped cocoa
and ketchup from their lips, lurched
soundlessly away. Someone smiled at his mate.
The rest carefully returned cup to saucer.
He sighed, as though his last breath.
Looked long at each presented profile.
The place was looking empty.
It was getting late.
Finally, raised his hand -
One tea here, please. Quick as you can, love.
Page(s) 22-23
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