"table for two, on the patio " by James Thurgood

the joke – that’s what it was

stumbled on my lips

and died convulsing between cream and sugar

– ever polite, you looked away

and exhaled cigarette smoke

the waiter smirked –

only the seagulls laughed

then you drew a game of Hangman

on a napkin

so I could try my luck

you knew I’d never guess the word

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James Thurgood was born in Nova Scotia, grew up in Windsor, Ontario, and now lives in Calgary, Alberta. He has been a labourer, musician, and teacher – not necessarily in that order. His poems have appeared in various journals, anthologies, and in a collection (Icemen/Stoneghosts, Penumbra Press). He is also the author of His Own Misfortune, a work-in-progress.