HELPS TIME PASS.

A MAN AND AN ASIAN DAME IN A CAFE

Johnny sips his latte
the cafe is busy
the coffee baristas

are rushed
but calm
there's an Asian dame

at the next table
dark hair
shoulder length

just seen her
in a quick profile
fingering a cell phone

thin fingers
short blue skirt
black jacket

she eats
a piece of cake
with a fork

nibbles
he watches
notes

her slim body
slim legs
crossed

black pumps
light brown tights
he sips more

wondering her status
married
single

engaged
a lesbian
maybe neither

she turns
and fingers
into her phone

profile Far Eastern maybe
flatter nose
lips dull red

then she turns
and he sees her back
she nibbles more cake

he assumes
then she stands
and gathers

up her bag
and as she walks away
he notes

the ringed finger
and tight a*s
nothing doing

but
it helps
time to pass.

Author's Note

ART BY CAROLYN SCHLAM