This is not where I usually write, but I’m trying it out–the coffee shop where jazz is playing and the hum of the refrigerators sound like the cicadas in my yard. A young couple chat quietly. She’s wearing athletic shorts and a “Friends” long sleeved t-shirt. He’s got on jeans and a ball cap. She’s talking and playing with the straw in her cup. He leans in, nods and laughs. She is a natural beauty, long black hair, tanned skin, perfect teeth. Someone’s daughter. Someone’s sister.
While I watch this couple, I am trying not to look by the window where two women sit in the comfy chairs talking with their hands. Literally. There are no sounds, only signs. I once knew some sign language, but as with any language you do not practice, the ability fades with time. No matter. What they are talking about is none of my business. I can sit and listen with my eyes. Notice the beauty of expression without words.
I recently read Jhumpa Lahiri’s latest book Whereabouts. Lahiri’s writing fascinated me because there was no defined setting even though you always had a sense for where she was. The narrator does not identify herself or anyone else by name. Lahiri breaks the rules about novels without blinking an eye. She takes us to wherever she is and we go willingly. Like sitting here in this coffee shop observing and being present to the moment when nothing much happened.
The writer’s greatest chance may be devotion to the passing fragment.
It is small, but it is pure, and it may hold compact infinity.
Kim Stafford, The Muses Among Us
Reflections on the Teche 
Your slice weaves all these elements together beautifully. Your details bring us into the moment and then, taken as a whole, transcend it.
Margaret, this is so beautiful. It makes me want to sit and write in a coffee shop. There is so much to love about your sweet descriptions that convey so much with a few words: “He leans in, nods and laughs.” Lovely! The Lahiri novel sounds fascinating. Rich post!
I love the rhythm of your writing. The way you have combined descriptive details in regular sentences with two word poetic sentences, is so effective. You had me right there – in your moment in the coffee shop.
Your descriptions are lovely. I feel like I want to know this couple. And thank you for the book suggestion! I love Jhumpa Lahiri’s work but wasn’t aware of this new novel.
How wonderful for you to sit, observe and write in a coffee shop. You created a beautiful slice. I have tried writing in a cafe a few times and it has felt special. Thank you for a book recommendation.
Margaret – I almost wrote a post about a coffee shop today with a photo of the coffee! Secondly, I once knew some sign language, too. Still know the alphabet and a few words – I should perhaps tell the story of how I learned it. Thanks for that spark. This book sounds so intriguing and your emphasis on just being present – if we could do so more often, how very much richer our lives would be. I absolutely adore that Stafford quote – a gem.
Trying to live more mindfully and I keep finding great posts to guide my way. I love writing in a coffee shop, but haven’t done it since before the pandemic. It was my favorite Saturday morning routine!
I’ve always wanted to sit in a coffee shop and write but never have. I did sit at the edge of the Grand Canyon Bright Angel Trail as people walked their final steps back to the top and jotted down the comments I heard as they passed by me It’s fun to write what we observe.