Roses by Other Names

Subtle is the coffee
wafting from your drink;
cold chocolate ripples
against misshapen china.
You sip and look away.
I trace my glass rim,
ringing a high tone
against the crowd,
our curved silence.

You ask me to stop.
I nod and look away.

Our curved silence
against the crowd
rings a high tone.
I trace my glass rim;
you sip and look away.
Against misshapen china,
cold chocolate ripples,
wafting from your drink.
Subtle is the coffee.

I nod and look away.
You ask me to stop.