Saturday, December 27, 2014

TIPPING POINT




Large cappuccino please.
Quatre dollars the barista replies:
this is Le Grand Café
on Clarence at Alliance Française.
 
When transferring coins from pocket
two slipped.  Bien attraper!!
the barista smiles. T
hey do not
hit the floor nor are they in my hand. 
 
My custom is this: order morning coffee
then to the loo while it brews.
When I open my fly two coins fall
into the bowl, glint with a watery smile. 
 
Who knows where money has been
my mother said, urging me to wash my hands
before eating after touching coins –
and certain other things. 
 
Back in the café my coffee beckons,
Christmas decorations on the lights and wall –
goodwill in tinsel; the season of gifts –  
today I leave a two-coin tip. 

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