Geoffrey Remembers 2023.

The coffee has arrived.

The barista

leaves his coffee

and a smile.

He has forgone the cake,

he is concerned

about his weight.

People pass his table

and line up to choose

and pay.

A couple stand there

deciding in soft voices

their choices.

He upright,

sure of himself,

she smiles

and bright eyes

and suggestive in how

she stands

and the motion

of her hands.

Geoffrey remembers

that Polish girl he met

who waited to defect.

She didn't show

where they agreed.

Disappeared.

He sips his cappuccino,

the girl at the counter

with her man

seems to have

a similar glow.