Alsatian Restaurant: Nice

Alsatian Restaurant: Nice

The smart woman across the way sits alone bemused
I eat carefully under her scrutiny. 

Perhaps she observes as a poet.
I will be in her story.

I fold my arms just so at the wrist
A model of comportment. 
I chew thoughtfully "comme une vache". 
I am aware of the olive pit.  Is there a rule?

The chou-croute arrives abruptly
a mound of naked white potatoes, 
thick sausages
fat pink dismembered digits.

The young man heaps the woman's plate
steaming cabbage, a ham hock
two enormous cuts of meat
more potatoes. 

Her eyes are points of concentration while
she awaits his retreat.

Now she goes to work,smearing, sawing, chewing
slowly chewing.

The bemused smile is gone now. 
Serious business at hand.

Steaming mounds, hungry hounds, sounds of bursting flesh
Steaming mounds, hungry hounds, pounds and pounds of flesh
Steaming mounds, hungry hounds, grounds of slow digest.

A tiny bit of mustard loges in the corner of her mouth.

I write in my little book.

Mary Payne