I've seen you come in here a few times before

Always between eleven and twelve o'clock.

A nighttime ritual, the aftermath of a lover's escapade?

Always wanting a stiff drink,

I carefully place the glass in front of you and wonder.

Why do you huddle in the corner of the bar,

Oblivious to everything, anything around you,

Lost in your thoughts?

~

I wonder.

What does he do to drive you to this small, ill-lit, far-away place

Called the Starlight Café—just an odd assortment of tables and chairs

And the odds-and-ends of people littered in disarray?

What does he do to make you sit for hours

Sipping your drink, avoiding conversation,

Avoiding watchful eyes of men sizing you up and gazing you down?

What does he do?

~

Tonight, the same as before,

But I saw a tear fall

Down your face, down your cheek.

You trembled and I heard you say,

"Never again..."

Tonight, the same as before,

Lost in thoughts,

Unaware that suddenly I had invaded your space,

And glimpsed your inner-world,

Unlocked by a single, lonely tear.

Now I know that you belong here.

Welcome to the Starlight Café—

Just an odd assortment of tables and chairs

And the odds-and-ends of people littered in disarray.