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!

[Hope]

Hey,
It was a cozy read. Loved the imagery you built up. Its deep too...thanks for sharing it

[Zoya]

Thank you very much, Neetha! Means a lot :)

[Chris Shaw]

A great piece of writing. Loved the metaphor and the imagery was sharp and real. For a moment I was her. Well done.

Chris

[Zoya]

Ah, thank you, Christine! I'm happy you liked this piece :)

[Chris Shaw]

I did indeed.

[Fran Marie]

a well expressed piece
of wanting that special
someone to fall in love
with you also..love
bites..and its bite is bitter

[Zoya]

I agree. I appreciate your views on my poem, Fran. Thank you so much :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love the "favourite graveyard" stanza...
this hits home...if love stings us enough...we avoid it more than draw it towards us...play it safe.
j.

[Zoya]

Thank you so much for your insights, Jacob. I'm so glad you liked it :)

[Sami Khalil]

"a false impression
of life

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

[Sami Khalil]

"taking a walk
in your favourite graveyard

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

[Sami Khalil]

I take this wonderful write to mean that a lot of pretentious people are prowling this site acting with bias, arrogance, fake pretensions, bullying, cliquish club of favorites, racist crazies, and think they are better than others. Their are not genuine in the least and very ego-centered. I could be wrong but only my interpretation. One of your best Zoya.

[Zoya]

What a unique interpretation! Although that wasn't on my mind when I wrote this, your review only seems befitting!
Thank you so much, Sami, for your appreciation of this piece. You are appreciated :)

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome Zoya...

[Sami Khalil]

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

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Absolutely one of the best metaphors I’ve read I put Jacob at the top but you run close second with this !!!!!! Brilliant

[Zoya]

wow thank you Julie! So kind of you :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Not kind just truth

[KWP]

Love the last stanza - if only :)

to know fully what others are thinking - well - is that ever possible?

[Zoya]

only if we pay attention :)
Thank you so much for the read and review. I really do appreciate!