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The Poem of the Week is the highest rated poem from the previous week on PoetrySoup. We use a special formula to determine the selected poem. A poem cannot be selected more than once as poem of the week. Also, the poem must have been posted within the past week (or so). See also: Poem of the Day.

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Robert James Liguori Poet Free verse Poem

Table for One

Tables rock theirs souls
with families, friends and children
I sit alone at mine
and I watch their laughter and smiles

It started with me opening the restaurant door
pacing my steps
and then saying to the hostess
‘Table for one’

I now order my unsweetened iced tea
and watch the waitress 
remove the other place settings;
An empty chair is my friend tonight

Comfort food; meatballs and spaghetti 
is what I order
I fiddle with my phone
as conversation has abandoned me

How many times have I cried
sitting alone
to believe that once in my lifetime
… I was loved

Post Comments

Ink Empress September 18, 2026 at 5:27 AM Great Job! Congratulations on POTW. Sending you light Ink Empress September 18, 2026 at 7:02 AM Thank you for the comment. Robert James Liguori September 18, 2026 at 6:56 AM Word of the day; ornery. Hahahaha! 🤣 BTW, what’s with the cactus?!?🌵 Ink Empress September 18, 2026 at 6:51 AM I bet you copy paste your response. I must do this too! 😂 🌵 Robert James Liguori September 18, 2026 at 6:40 AM Thank you for the comment.

Constance La France September 16, 2026 at 8:20 AM Robert, your poem is so raw and emotional, so many feel the same way, wonderfully penned and congratulations on your deserving POTW honor ⭐ Robert James Liguori September 16, 2026 at 9:29 AM Thank you for the comment.

Beryl Edmonds September 16, 2026 at 1:48 AM Robert, it’s sad to be sat at a table alone, but the memories you have make up for that. Congratulations on having received Poem of the Week… Beryl Robert James Liguori September 16, 2026 at 6:22 AM Thank you for the comment.

Karen Jones September 15, 2026 at 7:25 AM So sad your poem is. Expressed beautifully. Congratulations on potw! Robert James Liguori September 15, 2026 at 11:45 AM Thank you for the comment.

Brandy Nicole September 14, 2026 at 4:14 PM Dear Robert, while these tender moments linger in your mind, always remember you were loved. Still are, my dear friend, from our God above. Your thoughts caress gently around me and my heart. Congratulations on Poem of the Week. Hugs, Brandy Robert James Liguori September 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM Thank you for the comment.

Daniel Henry Rodgers September 14, 2026 at 6:32 AM Hello Robert, Congratulations on POTD. Psychologically, dining is one of our most deeply rooted social rituals, which is why eating alone in a bustling room carries such a sharp contrast. There’s an understated courage in stepping through the restaurant door and taking a seat anyway. Grief often tries to isolate us completely, convincing us to retreat into the dark. So raw, authentic, a dignified voice to a pain that so many carry. Deeply moving work, Robert. Blessings, Daniel Robert James Liguori September 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM Thank you for the comment.

Kim Rodrigues September 14, 2026 at 4:52 AM A beautiful and sad write! Spaghetti and meatballs sound good. Congrats on POTW! Robert James Liguori September 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM Thank you for the comment.

sara Etgen-Baker September 14, 2026 at 4:35 AM a poignant yet tender poem, deserving of POTW. Sending you comfort and blessings. Robert James Liguori September 14, 2026 at 7:16 PM Thank you for the comment.

Tania Kitchin September 14, 2026 at 3:58 AM Robert, a wonderfully penned emotive poem. Loneliness can be a horrible feeling. Congratulations on POTW. Robert James Liguori September 14, 2026 at 7:15 PM Thank you for the comment.

Paula Goldsmith September 13, 2026 at 11:14 AM Congratulations on your POTW win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful  "Table for One" write/story. You are Never alone, for God sits with you. One Mother's Day, I had been away. I stopped to eat before I got home. As I was finishing up, the waiter came over and said your bill with tip has been paid in full. I was shocked. What a blessing that was. Little things can mean so much. When I see someone sitting alone, I often wonder if they wish they had someone to sit with. Guess we should ask. After all, all we could get is, I want to be alone. That would be OK. Have a blessed week with your wonderful win............... Robert James Liguori September 13, 2026 at 11:18 AM Thank you for the comment.

Alison A Smith nee Howarth September 13, 2026 at 6:18 AM A quietly devastating free-verse piece. The plain, observational language and familiar restaurant details make the loneliness feel immediate and painfully real, while the repeated isolation of “table for one” gives the poem its emotional centre. The final admission lands with heartbreaking simplicity. There is only one lonliness greater than sitting at a "table for one". It's sitting at a table for many and you feel like noone sees you there. Congratulations on your POTW. 🌹 Robert James Liguori September 13, 2026 at 8:51 AM Thank you for your comment.

Ink Empress September 12, 2026 at 11:20 AM Look at you winning over me!! I need poetry lessons from you dear Robert! Congratulations btw Haha Robert James Liguori September 12, 2026 at 12:45 PM There’s a waiting list for my poetry lessons; but for you… I think I can get you in sooner. Lol 😝

Ink Empress September 12, 2026 at 3:22 AM Awwn you are blessed dear Robert, there are many who long to be alone, but are stuck sitting in tables where conversations are cold, wonder what is worse? Youv expressed well! And i think your concept of the poem can be a brilliant prompt too Dont cry Thank the Lord For your meatballs’ Jesus Loves you! I am sure Sending you light always 🍴 Robert James Liguori September 12, 2026 at 3:29 AM Yeah… they were some pretty good meatballs!! 🍴

Deb M September 12, 2026 at 12:52 AM Oh Robert your beautiful sad poem touched my heart! Lovely…. Debx Robert James Liguori September 12, 2026 at 4:35 AM Thanks Deb. I wrote it from my heart.

Previous Poems of the Week

Date	PoemTitle	Poet	Form
Sep 13, 2026	Table for One	Robert James Liguori	Free verse
Sep 6, 2026	Ode to the Bedroom Door	Mike Bayles	Ode
Aug 23, 2026	Grief	Alexis Y.	Free verse
Aug 16, 2026	Fearless	Daniel Turner	Rhyme
Aug 9, 2026	Silver Quest	Mark Toney	Sestina
Aug 2, 2026	Bleakness Suffocates	Sara Jama	Free verse
Jul 26, 2026	Where The Crawdads Sing	Tom Cunningham	Narrative
Jul 19, 2026	Tribute To Carolyn Devonshire	Bartholomew Williams	Acrostic
Jul 12, 2026	Full Moon Dream	Subimal Sinha-Roy	Free verse
Jun 28, 2026	When the Inspector calls	Old Timer Rhymer	Rhyme
Jun 21, 2026	Miracles	Dorothy Gibbons	Free verse
Jun 14, 2026	Serenity	Alison A Smith nee Howarth	Quatrain
Jun 7, 2026	Publix	Mallory Brookes	Free verse
May 31, 2026	Limerick Lament	Jan Allison	Limerick