The Cafe

the last time
you brushed past me
in the cafe
you smelled the way
a rose smells a day before
its death

the wrinkles around your lips
told me that more than half of your life
revolved around smiling
at the wrong people
and then regretting it

whiffs of your breath
made their way to my table
and I knew you were high on
a false impression
of life

the last time the cashier
called out my name
your heart skipped a beat

I know you wanted
to look up from the book
that you were pretending to read
and steal a quick glance
at me

but you didn't

it seemed as if
the ghosts of your past
stopped you from
taking a walk
in your favourite graveyard

but tomorrow
if you build up the courage
to hold my gaze
for one eternal moment

then maybe
I'd stop searching for ways on
how to make someone fall in love

and maybe, just maybe
you would stop looking for ways on
how to not fall in love

Author's Note

Thank you for reading :)

captcha: readvent (well isn't that what I usually do?)

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

The impression is that the speaker still bears emotional pain from a might have been that wasn't. That there was feeling for the poem's subject is apparent. The conclusions drawn indicate the once desired had, and may still have, shallow values, and that guided by them, dumped the speaker. The last two stanzas hint at the depth of that disappointment and also divulge the speaker's own weaknesses.

[Zoya]

Thank you so much for the detailed review, John. Your interpenetration, for the most part, is on point. I appreciate it!

[Mk.t.g]

Wonderfully composed, Zoya! Loved the imagery presented here.
Mk.t.g

[Pauline]

Loved the metaphor and imagery here. A great write and I'm happy that you posted this one.

Paulie.

[Gaurav]

Your words are like a breeze slowly turning life into a romantic adventure..great work there

[Pragati Chaudhary]

I am flat. really
It's beautiful and sooo soothing to read
I think how it would be if that one glance stays with you
Made me Nostalgic!!!!!!!

[Zoya]

Thank you so much, Pragati! :)

[chrysantheranium]

This poem is like a magnet... The reader doesn't know either person individually but I can feel the combating longing between the narrator and the one who's smiled for too long. Scared of falling in love in fear of sparing a smile for the wrong face, scared of being in love in fear of never getting to see that smile again.

The whole piece pushes and pulls between two perspectives, both extremely different but equally tormented by the strings of their own hearts. Crossing paths, crossing love, but never crossing lives - not out of work by Fate, but because of Fear. Fear of losing all that they are afraid of. Fear of losing the importance of The Cafe, the smell of roses, the heart pounding when you hear each other's names.

It's so scary to want to love someone when you cannot find a way to let yourself love any longer.

Again, astonishing work, and please never stop writing. The devil's advocate is not always deadly and you're one of the few writers I know to be able to show the bittersweet on both sides of the fence. :)

[Zoya]

That is so sweet! Your insights mean a lot. Thank you. Truly appreciated :)

[Avia]

This is so beautiful.
Absolutely lovely.
"it seemed as if
the ghosts of your past
stopped you from
taking a walk
in your favourite graveyard"
I love this. Keep writing

[Zoya]

Thank you again, Avia! Happy you liked it :)

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Truth is written here...sad how ppl would rather pretend than allow truth to show...as if we have all the time in the world....sad that some ppl wait to long and then ...it’s too late ..🌹

[Zoya]

Exactly. Too late indeed :(
Thank you for your time and review!

[andrew mitchell]

A lovely write and so reminiscent of our day, It does happen just like you express it!

[Zoya]

Wow I'm glad you could relate! Thank you so much :)

[Nisha M.]

Such a great poem, I loved how it ended really. Plucked my heartstrings, definitely! xx Good job :)

[Zoya]

Thank you so much, Nisha! I'm so glad you enjoyed :))

[barleygirl]

I actually screamed LOUD in the middle of V2 becuz my enjoyment was so intense! This is one of the best poems I've read in months. I love-love-love this one! You nail this scene with such bitingly real observations, it's a cool drink of water for someone who gets sick of everything looking and feeling predictably bland. This is sharp & tangy! God! I love it! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Zoya]

Best review I've read in a while! You've made my day, Margie! Thank you so very much :D