The Lonely Man
by David Ritchie
Out of the river of night
the man walks into the diner.
The greasy smell is known to him
and he takes his usual seat.
The rips in the bright red naugahyde
are only slightly more torn
than last night and the night before.
The man turns to the window
and sees his reflection
as he wishes it were.
He is trying to be worthy of his years
but cannot stand the change.
He feels he has nothing left
but the cash receipts
of his youthful life.
The waitress passes by
while the man hides behind the menu
until his fears have all been nursed.
He searches out the reasons
for the life he has lived in effigy,
but he is lost within himself.
The man looked once more at the window
and took in his distorted image
and remained the night in the diner
steeped in coffee and cream.
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