A man and an egg

I sat once to table

in a cafe

where then a man very much my senior asked to join me.

There was no other place.

We smiled pleasantries and he set about peeling a boiled egg.

I put down my pen

and - surprised -

we spoke of things that mattered.

I shared the substance of my work

and the privilege of witnessing.

He shared what he cared about,

now retired,

and beamed to speak of his opera singing wife.

He later folded his napkin of broken shell

and stood to take his leave

this man I call Bob.

He paused

and met my eyes.

A long beat of quiet.

"You've known suffering and loss"

he declared.

It wasn’t a question.

I froze.

Felt caught.

He raised one hand peaceably

"I know by your joy.

Real joy is hard won."

I smiled a sad sort of smile.

We shared a pause.

He inclined his head

and he left.

• Sheila