ANCIENT BED AND SONYA 1973

A MAN AND WOMAN IN PARIS IN 1973

And the waiter said
Puis-je vous aider?

You looked at Sonya
who said in fine French
two coffees
and croissants please.

Oui madame
the waiter said.

You watched her features
how she sat
her blonde hair
long and loose
from bands or ribbons.

I love the Renoir print
in the cafe
we went into last night
she said.

You listened
but did not reply.

I could see you
in the man
she added.

Which man?
You said.

The young man
sitting at the table
looking at the girl
and her dog
the man with
the fine moustache
she said.

The one with
the boater hat?
You asked.

Yes that's the one
she said.

And you remember thinking
as you looked at the painting
why put a dog on the table
with food and wine and glasses?

The waiter came
with coffees
and croissants and went off.

Sonya sipped her coffee
you nibbled the croissant
she talked about art
and Renoir.

But you were
only half listening
you were recalling
how beautiful she looked
in bed the night before
her hair spread out
on the pillow
as was she spread
on the double springy
ancient bed.