Central Hotel - noon, sun rays

warp window table;

dust ferments,

noise erupts in waves.

Clientele fluctuate;

come, go, to, fro;

raise and drop, laugh and sigh;

fifty or more sweating, sated diners;

moving witty yarns

in widening circles.

Collection goes round.

Curt remarks

break the frisson

with a butter-knife.

Below swarming traffic

moves in stifling heat,

groaning toxic between flagstones.

The winding-down, leaning, restless

minds drift outward;

sky-ward.

Then one-hour rush breathes through;

feet stampede down three stairwells

in hurried, harried, hair-fixing

exodus.

Doors retract and void without,

gleaming, awaits/receives.

Three birds flap clear.