coming and going

yes, absurd as they are -- life and death

but always this

coming and going

new baristas here today

one, from the shop across town

cafe to cafe transmigration

customers, quiet, peering at screens

here and then gone

replaced by new ones

a fireplace

a fake, thin oak, its tiny lights,

flashing on and off

always this

coming and going

yes, absurd as it is