'Nicotine and caffeine'

Another piece I wrote many years ago, inspired by a customer who used to visit the cafe I was working in over ten years ago. She had such a presence, I had to write something.

'A coffee and an ashtray dear'

Every day that is all she asks for,

takes her usual seat in the cafe by the window.

Gazing out, watching the troubled world rush past, second by second.

Not like how she remembers...

She lights her cigarette and takes it deeply to her being then release...

the smoke lingers around her like a damaged aura,

twisting and turning between her thin pale fingers,

as if her own ghost has embraced her,

she doesn't even notice.

'Thank you dear'

Happy to serve, this little elderly lady's manners are always polite,

a way of speaking that has been forgotten today, every word utters sincerity.

Her skin is cracked like the porcelain cup she sips her coffee from,

but it is a different kind of decay... natural... beautiful.

Her aged eyes roam with intensity, absorbing the room,

smiling with realisation, there is still life beyond the frail shell.

She leaves...

'Good bye I'll see you tomorrow dear'

A smile is all that be given because tomorrow the scene shall be played all over again.

Reviews

[Woody]

I like the tableau you've painted here with your words, H. your title drew me in as those two objects rarely leave my side :(
I like your description of the lady. sounds like a sweet old lady, much like my departed granny.
nice one.

[Hannah Morgan]

Thank you so much for the review. I hope this doesn't sound odd but I am pleased that my poem reached you on such a personal level and I hope that it brought many fond memories back of her to you. The lady I am describing was a character and I was always pleased to see her.
Thank you so much again for your review. :-)

[Woody]

indeed it brought back nice memories. and tou're most welcome :)

[Woody]

you're not tour.

[Terrence Chang]

Good writing Bisco. The poem was very vividly described and it kind of reminder me of coffee and cigarettes movie.

[Hannah Morgan]

Thank you so much for your review. Hopefully I will create other pieces which have further positive response.

[Terrence Chang]

You are most most welcome dear poet. And I am looking forward to read some more of your works