Mid-Afternoon People

Subdued voices, background hum
Most tables occupied by one
These lone people sit and dream
Gaze at a book or laptop screen.

Trays are wiped and cups are stacked
Dog-eared newsprint placed in rack
As their coffee or their tea grows cold
Their minds in neutral – young and old.

Rubbish cleared – food choices new
The onslaught over – there's no queue
So they've opted for some personal time
To recharge batteries/get on line -

Away from work stress or child care
Or is it simply that they dare
Like silkworms each in their cocoon
To unwind in the afternoon?

(c) Poet in the woods 2014