she waits in beauty at the greasy spoon café by James Bell

she waits in beauty at the greasy spoon café by James Bell

must drink the coffee and fudge the cash

eat the last cheese sandwich at end of day

and chew the rind despised by some

though this has now come to be expected

with a ferocity best not to be observed

a visible lack of underwear scares customers

generosity of mind and body is revelation

food and drink arrive in large portions too

walks and waits in beauty on the late shift

as well as a huge capacity for laughter

walks and waits in beauty on the late shift

and chews the rind despised by some

as well as a huge capacity for laughter

must drink the coffee and fudge the cash

James Bell - lives in Brittany where he contributes photography and non-fiction to an English language journal. Two poetry collections have appeared from tall-lighthouse, the just vanished place and fishing for beginners. His work has also appeared this year with Shearsman, Tears In The Fence and The Journal and the Poetry Kit anthology Flowers in the Machine (poems about science).