an egg sushi in his mouth,
lots of wasabi.
He eats and eats and eats
anything Japanese.
next to a vase two tables away,
a girl with a composed face,
slowly sips her green tea.
if easy love exists,
the two strangers
will see each other
and subtly fall in spell.
give them three minutes,
and another three.
come on you stupid man!
here is a girl with sensual wet lips--
look at her
look at her
look at her
the observer is irritated.
then someone else -
(there is always a someone else)
walks to the girl and gestures humbleness,
like in a Shakespearean play.
she unbuttons her tight face
and welcomes the new girl.
I am in shock,
Cupid knows his job.
Tammy Ho Lai-Ming, London, UK
Previously published in Nth Position (September 2007)
Tammy Ho Lai-Ming is a Hong Kong-born writer currently based in London, UK. She is a founding co-editor of Cha: An Asian Literary Journal (http://www.asiancha.com).
ReplyDeleteLove the point of view and the unexpected turn!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this poem, also the unexpected twist. It has a simplicity and yet a depth of meaning reminiscent of haiku.
ReplyDeleteDear Karen and Claire,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind comments!
Tammy