Layers

Archaeologists of the heart
could learn much
from these white stoneware mugs
cooling
between our hands
as we lean toward each other
over a small round table
in public intimacy.
Each conversational spurt
each thoughtful pause
each smile
each telling hesitation
each sip of milky coffee
deposits another
creamy brown line
left clinging
to our cups'
respective walls
building a picture
of differing intervals
shot through with
changing textures
irregularities
and darker threads
down to the bottom
that would tell the story
of our time
to one trained
in their interpretation.
Each layer is distinct
a new geological stratum
in a cross section
that marks the progress
of our conversation
and our love
in this cafe window
each layer
another æon
or a blink in time
depending on
whether one takes
a short
or a long
view of relationships.