Friday, March 6, 2009

Out of Your Depth

I stumble in slightly distracted
Trying to get my bulky keychain into my bag,
I am not really irritated but mumble a sigh
As I fumble with, myself.

My eyes adjust and observe
The shop is not crowded,
Light floods in the front windows
And shadows lay peacefully
Jutting out from odd angles
Past the legs of chairs.
I hurry through them
In a race to greedily gulp down
The pleasant smell of bitter, roasted beans.

But even in my clumsy haste,
Just inside the door,
I catch sight of a well rounded shoulder
Defining an easy white cotton shirt.
My subconscious runs down the arm attached
And comes to a gentle hand.
Fingertips
Lightly rest on the rim of a coffee cup.

I continue on,
Your head is down as you read
But your energy mists over me on the way to the counter
As if it is a spritz of fragrance
Hanging in the air just waiting for me to pass.
All six of my senses perk.

I step to the right to retrieve my own mug
And feel that you have moved.
I turn.
You close your book and stand.

As our eyes meet for the first time
Your cologne
Fills my goofy grin.
And I do not notice
As coffee spills on my shoe.

10 comments:

Maggie May said...

this is so sweet.

Chris said...

Very nicely done, Jenn. I especially like your use of the word "perk" in the sixth stanza relating to your senses.

I'm not a big poetry guy myself, but this is very well-crafted.

Bridgete said...

This is wonderful.

Rosebud Collection said...

Wonderful job Jenn..You write poetry so well..I do hope you put them in a book and publish them..
Have a good weekend..should be warmer..at least I know you will be, since you are more south..

TheresaJ said...

WOW, Jenn -- I absolutely love this!!! Bravo!

My daughter writes poetry and works in a little indie coffee shop. I can't wait to share this with her! I know she will absolutely love it as well.

Keep 'em comin'!

Helen said...

you have a wonderful way with words .... thank you for sharing.

Karen said...

I really love this poem, Jenn. Your words paint a picture that became very clear in my mind. Not sure why it reminds me somewhat of a poem I wrote a while back, but I'lll email it to you.

Dave King said...

You are making good use of line endings and the varying line lengths.

Chris Stone said...

enjoyed your poem!

whimsicalpam said...

Very well done! I'm not sure I could compose a poem if my life were at stake:)...so I immensely respect those who can!
...and I love the coffee on the shoe:)...a perfect ending!