With a Newspaper

Michael Karam

He took the newspaper from his coat 
and a box of matches 
not noting my torment 
And unconcerned,
he grabbed the sugar in front of me 
He stirred two spoonfuls into his cup.
He stirred me… he stirred two…
After two moments
and without seeing me
and knowing the longing 
that had taken hold of me, 
he grabbed his coat in front of me
and disappeared into the crowd
leaving the newspaper behind him 
by itself
like me, by myself.