Mal Poem by Anthony Joseph Erangey

It is seven fifty am, and I am ready once again.
Shoes gleaming, hair groomed, pressed pants, silky shirt.
I have timed this walk which lasts forty seven seconds,
From my front door to the local caffeine den.

As I enter, this place as I have five weeks in a row,
It is emptying out as it always does.
Quickly gathering, the two daily papers
I order my usual café au lait, with a dash of espresso.

Seven fifty seven, I navigate towards my white plastic throne.
She will arrive soon. Of course,
my table faces the front window.

Before she comes into view, sounds, click clackety clack,
I bow my head and pretend to immerse myself
In the stories of the day, as I slightly turn my back.

Seven fifty nine, the place is filling fast.
Once more the door swings open, and yes, yes,
Her aromatic scent over powers the imported beans
Helen of troy, Aphrodite, Cleopatra, she is here at last.


My heart races as a tempest swirls in my mind.
Today, yes, it must be today, the moment soon,
This urban Goddess, with all eyes upon her,
Will scour this den, searching for her paper, the Times.

She tilts slowly, with feminine grace
as, I kidnap a peek from my peripheral view.
She moves with royal dignity towards
My crystal palace, it will be any second now, oh, her face.

My Mysterious and attractive lady, I will call you MAL for short.
We will link ourselves in everlasting love. The angels themselves
Will be forced to weep at the utter perfection of our unity.
If granted the strength and time, I will grow old with you
And care less if your beauty withers. your presence alone
Transcends all I have ever wished for in life.

Three minutes past eight and she is standing next to me.
Her crescent red lips part and I remind myself not
To enter cardiac arrest. Gleaming pure white snowflake teeth,
Oh my God yes, yes, yes. My eyes lock on her heaving breast
as she draws
A breath, so mystically.
‘I noticed you have all the papers, any chance I can grab the Times”?

Thoughts, words, images, vows, all poetry tangled up in my throat,
In an indistinguishable utterance, I say something like “sure”
She smiles, cautiously and turns away. My life’s sojourn with
MAL will have to wait another day.