Me out to eat
Tonight.
They've kept
In touch,
Buoyed me
Up,
Shared my loss,
Which is theirs' too.
We talked on and on
Even when our
Food was gone.
And when we finally
Got up to leave
I noticed the
Gentleman in the
Corner.
I knew him,
A widower, just
Weeks into his
Grief.
My heart flinched
When I realized he
Had eaten by
Himself.
"I wish we had
Seen you sooner,"
I said,
"You could have sat
With us."
He seemed to overlook
My words
And fumbled a
Bit at his own.
He was doing the best
He could.
He was carrying on.
I know he couldn't face
Eating at home
Alone,
But was it easier
Eating in a crowd
Alone?
At least he didn't
Have to cook.
(I don't want to imply that the man shouldn't have been eating out by himself. I'm learning to do that too. I just wanted to convey the thought that we can be in a crowd and still feel so alone.)