The bar was a dark place more like a cave, a terminus for the hopeless,
where men, sat looking blindly at a TV screen on a nicotine yellow wall.
Outside near an empty beer crate, a dove leaning against a damp wall,
yes it was on its last legs. I fed it some grapes, red ones full of goodness.
The bird soon perked up, tripped into the bar, jumped on the counter and
terrorized the barman. Two drinkers came running out, wanted to join
The AA; as for the rest, it was too late, they were past seeing anything.
Further down the road, a cake shop, a light airy place painted pink.
Large ladies with hats and diamond rings sat there enjoying cream cakes
and drinking milky coffee. I had a slice of chocolate cake, and with
a fancy fork had a mouthful; it tasted heavenly, rich, with a hint of lemon
and cinnamon, going to eat more, but there was a peck on the window,
the dove sat on the sill, looking disapprovingly at me, remembered I had
diabetes and sugary thing were out. I wrapped the cake in a napkin, drank
my coffee, went outside and gave the cake to the bird. It is good to have
friends even if it is only a passing dove.
