PRESTWICK DINES.

A MAN EATING THINKING OF ANOTHER.

Prestwick dines on a fast-food meal.
Not that satisfactory, but at least he
Can sit, watch, and study as he eats.
The man opposite with his glasses on
The tip of his nose, his eagerness to
Be eating, then off to work perhaps or
Meet a date at some corner for sex in
Some hotel room. Prestwick watches
And imagines all things for this man
Pushing food through his mouth, like
There was no tomorrow, no other matter.
The man pauses, takes out his cell phone,
Mutters, splutters. Prestwick continues
To eat slowly. Takes each mouthful at ease.
The man puts his cell phone away, wipes
His mouth on a tissue, pushes the warm
Remains of the meal away, gets up, and
Walks off. Prestwick follows him with
His eyes. The man goes through the dense
Crowds and vanishes. His unfinished meal
Alone on the disposable platter. Prestwick
Resumes his meal, no big deal, if the man’s
Gone to work or to have sex, no real matter.