Haiku Chocolate

lunchtime, snow falls

as we leave the restaurant,

i put my arm through yours

and catch a flake on my tongue

the rich scent of smoking salmon

is carried on the cold, salt air,

as if it were on the ashes

of long-ago village fires

dotting the shore behind us

just a few blocks up from the landing,

and a stroll through the courtyard

past northwest carvings of

lighthouses, natives—

to the red cup café and the perfect cup—

and on to mukilteo chocolate co. for dessert

you pull the door open, and i say

“what do you think i should i get?”

you smile—suggestive,

“you can get whatever you want”

over the counter the owner

overhears, teases— “that’s dangerous

to tell a woman in a chocolate shop”

a seated man hears, too “…or smart”

he’s right, we all laugh—together,

strangers in a shared moment

“well, i have to get the haiku”

dark chocolate, ginger,

hint of wasabi, candied ginger on top—

“i just made triple wasabi,

it’s in the back, i can get you some…”

“no thanks, i’ll go easy and try this first”

we select some amazing flavors,

sip coffee, look out at the view of the sound,

savoring them, and each other

and all the little things that become

the best kind of poetry

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

Claudia at dVerse has us writing sketchbook poetry.  As she puts it, “poetry that captures a scene — poetry that is immediate and in the moment.”  With my husband’s schedule and the kids off at school we get to take dates midweek, midday sometimes.  It snowed briefly as we left one of our favorite places on Tuesday and it seemed the perfect moment to capture on paper.  And yes, Haiku Chocolate Truffle is delicious!