they were going to have coffee

had been like clockwork

go for an uphill hike

incline wasnt too steep

good to make the top

better coming back down

                           though

past fourfive weeks hes begged off the hike but still says Let's meet for coffee.

a small place mileanahaf off his

                                   Ill walk Ill meet ya there

I go right by your place, I'll pick you up.

No Im good stretch my legs   Ill meet ya there

hed buy coffees but he didnt want them to chill

                                                   wouldnt set a clock by him

five tenminutes fifteen twenty

                                hed arrive

no skin off his ass

had his canvasbag couple of books clipboard paper pens inside 

wasnt like he was waiting

he glancedup past the clock tower in the park 

hed come from parking in that direction

   he saw himwatched him stuff his hangdog

something was up

                        something had been up

he hollered COFFEES ON YOU MAN

he noddedveered left

his coffee was black black coffees black

his on the other hand was a moving target but always lightened with cream   sweetened

put his book down  Thank you

You’re welcome. Sorry I’m late.

I wasnt waiting

   So man   

              Whas got ya by the throat

Me? Nothing.   I’m cool.

I watched you come through the park

                                        Yawannasay

I said ther . .

. . Excuse me  excuse me   Ill ask once more

                                                Three an yare out I can see youre off anya pride yourself on being honest

Ya don have to say

But theres something

Serena.

nothing serene about her met her twice not his slice of pie

Feels like things are going south.

   She told me I could call anytime.

Held herself up . . you know.

I don

I could call her anytime.

Anytime.

Weel

       There coudbe a brilliance to her remarkdoubt it  Whaya heard might not have been wha she meant  You coud call her anytime

frustrated the sweet in his coffee wasnt cutting it 

                                                But she doesn’t pick upwhat are you talking about?

She didnt say she woud

                           She only said you coud call her

That’s wrong.

According to you

                     Did she say shed answer

If I were to cal . .

. . She say shed answer

                              No

Shes not wrong

Who’s side are you on?

I havent a dog in the fight

                             I woud agree there is an implication  But only that

That’s little solace.

Coud havemight have been more if youd been on time answered first time I asked

                                                                                       Well never know

   

2128,  Monday – Mark Luther King Jr Day,  15  1. 24

James Taylor  You’ve Got A Friend  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKaWQxlTsRM

Dylan  Love Sick  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y_VTtGujPI