Observations Over Coffee -Alan j Wright

It is said to be out there as a poet, you need to be out there. So I took this literally and earlier in the week ventured out for a coffee.

As I at my outdoor table attentively observing the passing parade, a poem gently formed around me. I made a few notes rehearsed some words and sipped my cappuccino. The poem landed as an everyday observational narrative, consciously devoid of any profound turn of deeper significance...

Tuesday's Coffee Guests

I choose to sit at the tightly arranged round tables outside the cafe

I prefer my coffee with a side of life.

A woman passed by

walking a small dog adorned in booties.

He's got sensitive feet she informs a man who stares intently at the booted pup.

At the next table two frosty matrons complain bitterly about the fashion choices of young people,

Just as people have done since Plato famously launched a tirade about the lack of respect shown by young Romans.

I chose to look skyward and sight a pod of pelicans wide winging across a naked autumn sky.

And at this point, it might be expected that my poem should begin to reveal some deeper significance held within these words.

But I am content to leave things where they sit...

The coffee has quelled the fire within.

I'm content to note

Puppies, people and pelicans,

All passing through this brief scene

While I sat outside a cafe.

Alan j Wright

It is once again Poetry Friday and our genial host is Heidi Mordhorst who delivers a video conversation with fellow teacher poets, Jone rush MacCulloch and Ruth Simon discussing approaches to teaching poetry, why its important and how writing with kids inspires and sustains their respective efforts.

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