Geoffrey One Monday Morning 2024.

Geoffrey sits at the back

of the coffee house

as there are no free tables

at the front.

He has put

his walking frame

out of the way of others.

He has ordered

latte and a croissant.

The barista said

she will bring his order.

A crowded table

in the middle is noisy

with chatter and laughter.

It disturbs his peace.

His late wife

would not have come here;

she preferred tea shops

and gentility.

But since her demise

he comes frequently.

One of the females

at the noisy table

reminds him

of the East German girl

who wanted to defect

to the West.

Ich werde

Geheimnisse bringen,

( I will bring secrets)

she had said to him.

But she didn't show

on the day arranged

nor after.

A burst of laughter.

The barista brings his latte

and crossisnt

and lays it on the table.

She walks away

with a gentle sway.