~Neighborhood Coffee~

                               

neighborhood coffee

in the morning

poured into paper cups

with no sleeves

so you can feel the heat

vibrate through your fingers

a chocolate doughnut

still soft and round

I sit at a glass table

with a braided trim

chip piled in the corners

like colored glass

a mismatched mosaic

a old woman

sits reading

the datebook
gold filigree glasses

short, blond hair curling
around tan and taut skin

high cheekbones
rest in a calm smile

a dark blue padded mosaic coat

light blue flats and flower earrings

occasionally giving directions
where things should be
in the deli around us

I smile at her
and asked her if she was the boss
we talked and laughed for awhile

she told me with pride 

how she sent

her favorite turkey sandwich

to her son
and his children

and how she’ll see them again

at Christmas

lighting up 

when she mentioned

all the food

she didn’t have to make

she slowly got up

and put away  her paper

in her bag

 

she walked up to me

her brown eyes soft
as if afraid of how I’d react
so she took my hand
lily cold and trembling
like the flower
she smelled like

”When I’m here,
l’ll help you with
with your coffee"

she said
she’s usually here in the morning’s
although I’ve never seen her before
a beautiful bent blue fairy

“I’ll help you with your coffee anytime"
we stare at each other and smile
I watch her walking away
knowing this could be me
and I wouldn’t mind
living in this
calm, blue world

                                               

                                        ~Sarah Mahinaj Calvello~