T - Tables for Two



TABLES FOR TWO


1
The women sit
sharing coffee
or tea
as the morning sun slants in the window
of the breakfast room

What do they speak of?
Husbands, children,
of the things they left behind
and yet still yearn for?

 

2
In the city
the women sit
sipping coffee
their heads bend over
the daily news

Neither speaks
of what it means to be alone
in a city full of people
Coffee finished
they fold their papers
 lay them on the table
and leave
never knowing the other was even there


(Inspired by two paintings by Win D. Smith,
who was not only an artist, but a published poet,
as well as my father. Both paintings hang in my dining area.)

©2019 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved

Comments

  1. Maybe the first two were talking about their passion, the one their families aren't that interested in hearing about, although they try. The second two, too bad they didn't make contact, but maybe they got some much needed work done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing! That's what's nice about some poems, we can read into them whatever feels right to us!

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  2. Replies
    1. That what I thought when I wondered what to write for T! I noticed for the first time both paintings had two women at tables. T!

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  3. What a beautiful share today Lisa, and how lucky we are to have a glimpse of your father's paintings. Lovely!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. The photo of the one I picture is in a city shows a spot that looks like the paint is worn off. There isn't, it just photographs that way! No matter how many times I take the picture, it's there.
      These were both done when I was just a very little girl.

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  4. Lisa,

    I much prefer sharing a table for two as in the first poem/painting. The second is so lonely. :(

    <a href="https://curiousasacathy.com/2019/04/2019-the-little-mermaid-art-sketch-series-treasures-atozchallenge/'>A2Z Little Mermaid art sketch series 'Treasures'</a>

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I would to. I am not a big fan of big cities, except on short visits. It was a treat to visit my father's office in San Francisco when I was little. I do think the life of the others would be boring for me though. I reminds me of how my mother's generation spent their days. The neighborhood women actually met for coffee once the men were at work! My mother did not participate!
      Thank you for your comment, I'm glad you felt the loneliness in the second poem.

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