simply human

so many things come to mind in a coffee shop....people watching is one of my favorite pastimes.

photo courtesy of wordpress.com

today

the circumference 

of the coffee shop 

is equal to “pie” squared 

and the equation of life seems unsolvable

i watch her

a caricature of herself

bright orange lipstick on the perimeter

of a clownish smile

gravity has not been kind and her self-esteem

is directly proportional 

to the remainder of latte in her paper cup

over there sits

mister incongruent

raggedy jeans and tee

with a diamond watch on his veined wrist

his overload of eccentricity would baffle even euclid

the cappuccino machine

is perpendicular to a window lacking symmetry

and certainly unfamiliar with the washer method

i show simple interest to a passerby

with a friendly smile

momentarily forgetting reciprocal rule is not in effect

there is but one constant here

we are simply 

           or not so simply

                            human

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

We are quite an interesting species to watch, aren't we? I used to do the same when I worked at a mall, I would take my lunch break and simply walk and observe the merchants and the shoppers. It got pretty hectic around the holidays, so I ventured to eat lunch in the office, instead.

I love this, just as much as coffee itself! A very astute observation and delivery...a must for my library!

Are there any "Dunkin Donuts" in Florida, Lydi? I was just commenting to FT about how good their coffee is!

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, Dunkin' Donuts is all over the place here. I do not like their coffee, sorry. Just too strong for me. I tend to get tea there or in Starbucks for that reason. Thanks for the great review! Lydi**

[Michael G. Smith]

Great poem!! I enjoyed sseing the world through your perspective with such concise words.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Michael. Lydi**

[Cassie]

Lydia, you constantly amaze me with your poems, how is it possible that you thought of this, the washer, the cappuccino cup,ragged jeans...I so love your imagery, I could see you seating across watching and sipping your latte coffee...loved it as always. well down

[Lydia Shutter]

Cassie, thank you so much. I appreciate your review. Lydi**

[h d e rushin]

truth be told Lydia, there is no simple humanity anymore. Now the younger folk fat shame or gay shame each other on social media. Today men still think they are superior to women. And women of a certain
age think themselves inferior to men. Above all else, I never drink coffee, have never been
into a Starbucks just because of the eccentricity of observation that you have outlined.

I would rather see people on the river-walk, in shorts and a tee shirt. Far away from the
lipstick world of pretention and uber value.

I love the way you write.......dana

[Lydia Shutter]

I will people watch no matter where I am...and the river-walk is another fine spot to observe humans. True enough there is a lot of shaming on social media...and it is only going to change one person at a time. Thank you for offering your opinions here, Dana. I appreciate you. Lydi*

[Rick Puetter]

Hi Lydia,

I loved your mix of mathematics, physics, etc., into the description of characters at the Cafe. This must be the caffeine putting you up to this. Anyway, you carry it off wonderfully and I greatly enjoyed this.

An excellent read.

Very best regards,

Rick

[Lydia Shutter]

thank you, Rick. Lydi*

[Tom]

It's true what they say, ' Nowt as queer as folk ' !

A keenly penned observational poem, viewed through the eyes of a distinquished and discerning writer!

[Lydia Shutter]

Distinguished and discerning, eh? Well, I feel very special, sir. Thank you! :) Lydi**

[emmajoy]

' bright orange lipstick on the perimeter - of a clownish smile - gravity has not been kind and her self-esteem has been directly proportional.. '

This is as near an analytical portrayal of higher maths in action as one could get! Oh you woman of cleverness!! You've portrayed humanity with amazing perception, tugged in the characters to add colour, seen and heard, near fathomed the unfathomable and created a truly wonderful view of LIFE.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Emma. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

Loved it, tis different. :)

[Sheila Kline]

No matter how many degrees are the same, or similar, or totally unlike the other, each degree is a part of the whole - I really like the way you compare the parts to the whole. Ah, I can smell the coffee in this equation!
Your style of writing correlates to your message.
Very clever!! And yes, people watching is a wonderful pastime!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Sheila. Lydi**

[Kshitij Gupta]

"today
the circumference
of the coffee shop
is equal to “pie” squared
and the equation of life seems unsolvable..."
The way you opened this poem was spot on, Lydia. Not much of a poet myself so I cant offer much critique but all I can say from a general readers point of view is that this poem was very captivating and kept me glued to my screen from the start. A good read indeed.
Kudos

[Lydia Shutter]

So happy you enjoyed it, Kshitij. thank you.

[~]

Indeed, it is simple to notice what we are, and even deduct how a few might have become that way. Not simple to answer all those whys..
All of us, continuing to swim upstream, even when resting with some coffee.
A very keen and observant eye you have my dear!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, my friend. Always fun to people watch. Lydi**

[~]

You are welcome!! I like watching nature more than people, I must admit :D

[Lydia Shutter]

We all have our own "thing". Different strokes, right? :)

[~]

Oh yes! most definitely! :D