The Afterlife Cafe

I remember

that the tabletops

were always white

as were the rounded

coffee mugs

and the sun

always shone brightly

through the window

that looked out onto

the street.

Each night

before I surrendered

myself to sleep

I looked forward

to meeting you there

again

until the time

amid a vista

of swirling galaxies

and white noise

I heard you whisper

a final goodbye

and I woke up

and stared

out the window

for the rest

of the moonless night. - Jeff Barnes