THE EYES OF THE RESTAURANT

Silent he eats alone,

Set in the center of hostile tables,

Stolid,
        though stared at.




The eyes of the restaurant reach out

Scanning his frightened face,

While he reviews unwanted dinner-mates. 


He searches in solemnness

      The dozen superficial faces

            Wondering what persons lurk inside.


Are they so solid in self-assurance?



The eyes of these people

      feel out in darkness

Seeking to circumvent a wall

      that none will crumble.


The eyes of two meet at a chasm,
                                 then

Turn sharply to their own plates.

Jay Cohen