I have noticed them
glancing at me from the corners
of my eyes
I wonder if it is curiosity
or pity or anthropology
that makes them look
Almost certainly, not intrigue,
not desire, maybe just wondering
what it feels like
to know the only mouth
at the table
is your own
I wonder about the person's story.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of courage to eat alone.
Perhaps (wild speculation here) they were curious, not about the solitary eater, but what said mouth was ingesting.
ReplyDeleteGumbo, perhaps? I know I'd sneak a peek. :D
I've eaten alone many times..it can be quite strange. People do look at you funny...You can see the questions in their eyes...or sometimes even pity.
ReplyDeleteBut it wasn't about not having someone to go with you-sometimes it was just about wanting, solitude. Even in a crowd.
I like this Gumbo...
ReplyDeleteI eat alone so much these days, it doesn't feel weird anymore--even on Friday nights. What does that say about me? Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, so what were you eating?
crap. now I'm hungry.
ReplyDeleteMy wife would only care about what you were eating. Good poem though.
ReplyDeleteeating alone is actually a fabulous freedom. You don't have to worry about what the other person "thinks" about your food choices, you never have to share, and figuring out the bill is a CINCH!!
ReplyDelete