Coffee With Alex

After asking our permission,
Alex joins us for coffee.
Chubby, with bright eyes,
He speaks of the American dream.

Alex and Irene own Kafka’s coffee shop
At the edge of “Old Town”.
I suspect that Irene does the work
And Alex does the schmoozing.

Born and raised in the Philippines,
They have six children,
All born in America, all working.
Four are teachers.

Business, at the coffee shop, has been slow
These last two years,
But the couple continue to send money
To maintain his elderly mother.

With all the children out of the house
These past five years,
They have opened their home to
Students from other countries.

It might have been the bright sunlight,
Partially shaded by blooming Maple trees,
Or the easy humor marking our conversation;
But I found myself believing Alex to be real.

There were no dark corners as we spoke.
I have been to Disneyland
And witnessed a child speaking to a six foot mouse.
I wish to hold onto small miracles.