The last full day of my trip
I sat alone at a table for four
facing the street on a warm summer day.

At peace with my personal pot
of coffee and cream
served in porcelain,
adorned with a gold crest.
My “usual” from the buffet
included a small smoothie,
cold still water, grapes,
creamy cheese with pliable rinds,
slices of dried sausage,
a croissant paired with honey
mined from the honeycomb via silver spoon
and a single serving of eggs Benedict
hiding a compliant amber yolk.

The breeze waved the leaves
and the red and white flag.
Trams, cars, empty carriages
looked for morning riders,
bicyclists peddled on clean quiet streets
in their designated lanes.

When I saw the older couple
holding hands, parting traffic together,
I dabbed my eyes with the
pressed linen from my lap.

Wisconsin-based author and poet Carrie Voigt Schonhoff has self-published two books of poems titled, The Liminal Space and The End of the Beginning. She was widowed in 2012 and that life challenge has taught her many things, some of which she writes about in her books. Her books address the importance of healing, moving on, and being ready to face a new beginning. Carrie’s work is also a continuation of beliefs that we can heal by connecting and understanding one another on a deeper level through poetry. Carrie enjoys spending time with her two adult children and two Italian greyhound dogs in Wisconsin. Visit LiminalArtistry.com to learn more.