She writes in the bay of Java Zone
overlooking Tappan Square
sipping mocha-coffee
redefining the language
with her presence.
Men stop on the sidewalk
pretend to read
the menu taped to the glass
inches from her profile
instinctively knowing
what they desire
is not being served.
Richard M. O’Donnell’s works have appeared in Everyday Fiction, Sniplits, North Coast Review, Binaryorganic, Mind Fair, Kaleidoscope, Heartlands, Many Voices, The Gamut, Diskazine, The Alchemist, Telescope, Intro and The Plum Creek Review. His short story collection, Rice Wine, was published on Disk 1983, and he has received two Ohio Arts Council grants. His has a MFA from BGSU. He is the co-founder of The Oberlin Writers Group where he is working on a mystery novel, Measure Twice – Cut Once. His online publication links can be accessed at http://www.wormsview.com Bio.
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7 Responses to “APPETITE • by Richard M. O’Donnell”
Comments
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August 12th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Delightful.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
It has an exotic intrigue blended with everyday happenstance – I imagine the voice of the poem watching all this unfold at a table nearby, feeling as well that an amorous approach would be futile.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
This is a very enjoyable poem, well written.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I could see her (redefining the language with her presence) — and them (stopping on the sidewalk, pretending to read the menu). Made me smile.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I loved it!
August 31st, 2009 at 5:15 am
(Better late than never with my comment, missed it first time around.)
Clever, entertaining poem!
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
This speaks of a woman’s power. In every aspect of the word. Bravo.