At Panera's

meeting a friend for coffee and conversation

At Panera’s

 

 

At this Panera’s,

there is a fireplace,

it crackles its flames

making the area feel warm,

cozy.

I enjoy coming here,

it reminds me of when

I lived in NYC

and would hang out

at the Starbuck’s

near Madison Square Park.

 

Today, I am hooking up

with a friend,

a fellow poet/writer,

who has mysterious green eyes

and a warm smile.

Our conversations,

always a thrill,

as words flow to fill

the empty spaces

of a lonely heart.

 

It’s just a friendship,

she is married

to a kind, gentle woman,

who is also a friend.

But there is something special,

a closeness,

a touch,

shared emotions

for a world freed from

ugly hands

and it matters not

who our hearts love.

 

So I sit here,

drinking a dark roast,

waiting for her to join me

and the conversation

to begin.

 

It’s bitter cold today,

the wind whips

and bites

making your fingers numb

and face red.

But at Panera’s,

the coffee is hot,

the fireplace invites,

and my friend has just come in.

 

Aztec Warrior/redzone 12.19.19

Author's Note

....thanks for reading...

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh, I like this one a lot, Curt. You set the scene so perfectly. Yes, men and women can be friends and share lively conversations about shared interests. Panera bread is a fine place to meet....just as Starbuck's is. It does not matter that she is married. She is not cheating by having a cup of coffee with you and just sharing ideas and words. A very "nice" poem with a homey feeling. Lydi**

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Hello Da Howdy Redzone (Curt?)!

I must say, as I sip a cup of hot tea as aid to a scratchy throat, that I found this piece of well written Poetry very enjoyable as the picture you painted to page purt near caused me to envision the interior of Panera's as though, somehow, I had been there before ... Most majestically, though, I was touched by the understanding and compassionate mannerisms of a man who has learned that one does not have to touch a Woman in order to touch or move her heart, be her true friend and companion ... Thus, I must say a bit more: You have penned a thought provoking piece that should and could change the lives of those who do listen to your inner voice ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham (A Different Breed of Moderate)

[Sami Khalil]

Note: We have a chain called Panera Bread. Is that the same one you are patronizing???

[redzone]

yes, one in the same.... it's a national chain, like Starbucks, but much better in my opinion...

[Sami Khalil]

It’s just a friendship,

she is married

to a kind, gentle woman,

"who is also a friend.

But there is something special,

a closeness,

a touch,

shared emotions

for a world freed from

ugly hands

and it matters not

who our hearts love."

[Sami Khalil]

Friendship, two amazing artists discussing the written and the visual, the warm, cozy place with a hot beverage, an inviting fireplace. Wow!
You should write a short story for it will be wonderful and inspirational. You are multi-talented Curt.

[redzone]

she is an amazing artist, Sami.... her paintings and poetry are wondrous and it is a pleasure to know her.... so, thank you, Sami, it means a lot, your visits and words especially since you are also an amazing poet and human being....

[Sami Khalil]

Wowzy wo! All wonderful. You are too. You are welcome Red Zone, the great...

[redzone]

HA! GREAT! not sure about this cause of I were great the world would not be in such a mess.... ;0)

[Sami Khalil]

Yes siiiirrrr..........

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this poem is the epitome of loving who you love...and acceptance that should be just

second nature....but unfortunately is not.
You are such a compassionate person, Curt...it shows in your writing and in your reviews to others' writing...
and you have a passion for writing that makes your poems so real.
j.

[redzone]

your words touch me Jacob, thank you!!! to be seen in a positive way by a fellow poet, also a compassionate and accepting human being, is a wonderful feeling Jacob...

as an aside, my friend has begun painting again and now has several of her paintings in juried art shows and some galleries.... she paints in a contemporary abstraction style and is quite good in my opinion and it is great that she is being recognized for her talents... I am planning on going to her more recent showing as I have only seen photos of her art and want to see the real paintings up close and personal...

anyway, thanks again for your kindness Jacob...