He makes her coffee, the way she likes, <br />While the other sleeps, <br />To apologize for being so forgetful, <br />And then forgets to add the cream. <br /> <br />He decides (to apologize for that) <br />To completely dust the furniture, but <br />Rearranges it instead, halfway, <br />And runs to get her pizza, envisioning their lunch and smiles. <br /> <br />Driving home, elated, with the tang <br />Of oregano and roast tomatoes cooling in the car, <br />He stops to get her flowers, <br />And sees a sale on milk and eggs. The Other loves a sale on eggs! <br /> <br />Outside, of course, he’s met by Peg, <br />A homeless guy who prefers his mother’s name. <br />Peg's graying hair and beard he recognizes, <br />And chats awhile, then fills Peg's parchment hand with bills & change. <br /> <br />He suddenly recalls, “My God! <br />The milk! The eggs! The pizza! ” So, <br />He races home, and takes the shortest route, <br />And passes Pete’s, who’d asked him if he’d like to stop a while and pray, <br /> <br />And have a beer or two or three. <br />He’s only known him for awhile, but it feels like friends. <br />Pete starts some eggs to fry, and then they sit and laugh and talk, relaxed. <br />While Pete is putting out the flames, they laugh about how many times he’s done the same. <br /> <br />Home at last! Apologies in hand: <br />Cold pizza, soured milk, wilted flowers and rotten eggs, <br />He helps her to the ambulance (from tripping over furniture) . <br />The Other adds, “You overdrew the Bank, again! ” <br /> <br />He makes her coffee, the way she likes...<br /><br />Ross Lakes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-a-d-d-and-the-other/
