The Word

Everyday winter life in a small town

"What's the good word?"

he said...lip over rim

a trick of sunlight

caught the drop of coffee

as it magnetically encircled

the heel of his cup

Walter put it down on the table

back in the ring

it had called home

for 30 odd years

bacon frying and eggs, too

I turned to look out the window

at trucks and cars passing by

on the snow-covered highway

"Reckon it'll snow anymore?", she asked

to no one in particular

the bacon pieces danced

in excruciating slow motion

over the sizzling griddle

the eggs offered their sunny smiles

the rest of us were just too damn cold