The cafes alive today

The throbbing throng

of hardy rained soaked song

in idle chatter

of weather, all too much

baby’s prams and buggies

mothers aging matriarchs

food frying toasted boiling baking

plates of omelettes toast sausage

egg and chips

steaming tea mocha latte

coke and 7 up

mugs cups and chinking glasses

pensioners sit in silent stare

of mock retreat from advancing years

and he sits on his own

a tousled shocking hair amok

talking to himself

his thoughts pacing up and down

shaking ready to repair

after downed cup of coffee

it’s to the outside world

and through nicotine heavy bearded breath

to smoke another treasured cigarette