Outside Café Beignet

Bitter Brew

On old Royal Street
I sipped bitter brew
At half-past two in the morning
Watching curiosities
Outside
Café Beignet

The coffee was thick
And stout
But not thicker
Nor stronger
Than early morning
Outside
Café Beignet.

The sugar donuts
Were delicious
But the shadowy creatures
On Royal Street
Were saccharine
And salacious
Outside
Café Beignet.

There is no hope

On Royal Street
No brightness of promise.
There is only
Donuts and coffee
Only the strange
Sad
And lonely
Outside
Café Beignet.

I finished my brew
Pulled my hat low
Tugged my collar high
And walked into the gloom
Glad this was not
My Zip Code
Content to live my life
Outside
Café Beignet.