New poem, first draft...

Just Dessert

Crowded restaurant

I sit alone.

Dessert becomes an adventure,

Soufflé

Surrounded by seas of whipped cream

And strawberries boulders

Covered with calligraphy of chocolate syrup

Each bit becomes an experience

Slow fork examines fresh terrain

Dips at the precise place where ground

Should be first broken

I never know what to expect

Slow for takes its time on route to my mouth.

Mouth opens and I’m flooded with anticipation,

Secretly fearing disappointment

In a second tongue makes contact and eyes close

I’m alone and conversations infiltrate my ears from every angle

My own voice is foreign

I even whisper to the waitress,

When she asks if all is well

The goal is to take every conversation

And unite into one melody

Create a perfect steady wave

Let me be alone

I achieve this with every bite

Concentrate and decipher pleasure of mouth

Combine sweet with cool with tart and marvel.

To be alone by myself in not enough

Crowds provide my score

The set amplifies my senses

Somehow in this scene

I’m free to think.