Well-rested from the hour gift
of Fall Back time,
the glory of the sunny morning
demanded a treat.
No breakfast in bed for an old bachelor.
Do the gym and the reward
is breakfast out.
The morning cool,
the sun warming
and promising more.
A perfect morning
for breakfast on the patio.
Bloody Mary right for breakfast.
Champagne for the folks
who live on the hill
and have brunch
instead of breakfast.
Patio seating full;
families for a weekly treat,
divorced father with teen-age son
and many couples.
Couples tell the story of
American mating.
He arrives and gets a table, and
she arrives and gives a kiss.
Just dating, I would guess.
Next a paper-reader
and a bored wife.
How did she ever get him
here anyway?
So what to watch as the red
Bloody Mary turns ice water clear?
Next table a great bet.
Older guy, younger girl
chatting in courting cadence.
Each nonsense remark
followed by a nervous laugh.
His tense posture
that of the predator.
Her flirting gestures
the playful, defying danger of a
squirrel who has full knowledge
of a planned escape.
Then her second mimosa
and I catch the teenager’s
father sneaking a glance.
Non-players enjoy the game,
but the 49er game
offers better sport .
So add the entertainment tax
to the tip and off for some
old-guy sport.
Doug Minnis
November 1, 2009