We woke up this way

as new york nuzzles connecticut's bosom
the bleached lunch crowd
rolled in around 11:15
a tide of fluffy joy engulfed them
from playful days
covered in deep ancestral scents
that paint calm on faces
and guard carefree dreams
blooming from fenced-in pillows at night

old, tween, or barely walking - their smiles adorned dancing eyes on crisp white skin

only the briefest moments grew bratty scowls when who would be next to order the expertly made chicken cutlet sandwiches was not clear as rose colored glass

otherwise, joy for food and time and undemanding schedules sandwiched between gossip and night plans bubbled mid-air

a small child - pushing the glass door like Sisyphus smiled at me
I smiled back and winked...and he was amused

but momma was not delighted by her toddler embracing the smile of a stranger

and the gaggle of girls with t-shirts that read 'we woke up this way' wiped clean the moment as they carried mom and child out with their exiting stampede