Café Temptation
I’m waiting on my wife, he says.
Smiling to the older lady wearing a
creamy cardigan against her dark skin
even though he peripherally peeks at a younger woman
sitting with coffee. She lounges attractively studying words
or reading the table. He isn’t sure which.
The lady is talking religion.
John 14 something.
Rotating his silver band, he focuses on making small talk.
It helps him avoid temptation.
(Written after observing three strangers in Barnes & Noble.)
* * * * * * *
7th Grade
The teacher tried pacing
often beside their straggling microscopes.
Meeting resistance
noses up, they proudly defended the fermented
table. Lingering giggles
applauded their scalped cow-eye.
She paused
long enough to take the
yoked sample and paper-toweled their grade
with antipathy.
(Written from a memory of dissecting a cow eyeball in 7th grade.)
Both of these are full of wonderful writing, Laura. Wow. The frequency with which you astonish now is much greater. Keep working on these two. Perhaps we can discuss them in office hours at some point.
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