finding love in a diner

if self-consciousness is the curse of the city
then humility is found in the hamlet across wooden tables and red and white checkers





in the eyes of a man i've forgotten to see
for the child who runs between...

his reflection, the light that hones me, moans me mercy to the nature of love






and we buy sandwiches and sip water and remember what it's like to date
awkward hand-holding in the back of the diner where a draft blows through streaked windows









it's our
hiding place
and the waitress cracks jokes and we crack laughter, hoarse






there's art on the walls and we pretend it's a gallery and read off the titles and remark on the symbolism all the while
having eyes only for the other









i find him handsome,
he finds me pretty,
and we say so around a bite of fries









and we're tired but we don't want to stop dating so we go bowling and the balls bounce funny and the townsfolk make fun of this gangly couple and i want to tell them, we made the most beautiful boy









but it doesn't matter, because we know
and our balls gutter and our hands flutter and we find love




in a diner








and its
plastic red tablecloth




shared with one shot poetry