Costa Lamento

Same old routine, same venue too We join the queue, I order Flat white for her with fern motif Tan crema round the border For me a capuccino, large With sifted chocolate powder Baristas all look younger now The music slightly louder We grab our favourite corner seat Our meal, the usual fare Two toasties filled with ham and cheese A Chelsea bun to share The great machine behind the counter Clanks and slurps and hisses And suddenly I recollect Those first exciting kisses Brunette has given way to grey Her voice a little gentler She takes my hand and thanks me for The flowers that I sent her Her smile, so sweet, improved with age Her wise and loving eyes Close tight before she takes a sip Leans back a bit, and sighs We laugh and talk the years away as if Time was suspended Why did I let her slip away It's not what I intended But too late now to make amends However we construe it We took a fatal turning and We well and truly blew it