Coffee

The ring on the coffee table

where you left your mug

You never could use a coaster could you

it might have been considered

civil somehow.

A testimony to our marriage.

One more thing we didn't

get quite right

.

Are there experts who can read such things?

study the ring and pinpoint

just where we faltered

'And here we see evidence of some siesmic event

around the year 2012 we think'

I've tried to erase it

have laid coat upon coat of polish

but even obscured it remains

below the surface

a detectable blip in a catastrophic year

Reviews

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

In my imagination I see this coffee ring on a beloved table that had been handed down through family, or purchase because it "spoke" to her. His disregard for something she wanted to take care of translates into what must have been the defining realization that he didn't care enough to validate her feelings. This was so well done, and it spoke to me...obviously. :)

[New Dawn]

Thanks Claire - there is something mesmerising about a coffee ring isn't there - I was looking at one when I wrote this - trying to capture the sense of something irreparable within a relationship - glad you enjoyed it

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I did! :)

[Perri]

Really effective how the coffee ring is given so much more meaning here =] I love when people take things that are usually near to insignificant and give them power

[New Dawn]

thank you , I am really glad you enjoyed it. it was my attempt at writing something contemporary - wanted to show damage and decay but in an off beat way.

[Perri]

Well you succeeded =D

[...]

. wow ... somehow the stain remains ... if not on a surface ... then on the surface of memories ... superbly written and narrated ... and ... the image is just perfect for this piece ...

[New Dawn]

Thank you Serah, glad you enjoyed it, found the image on google images - they have everything imaginable it seems :)

[...]

. you're very welcome, dear shelley :) ...

. you selected the perfect image :) ...

[Distant horizons]

Nothing quite like a visual reminder to look at every day. "He says, making sure to put his cup on a coaster....this time"

[New Dawn]

Thanks - we actually have such a ring on our table but as yet we have not fallen out over it :)

[Distant horizons]

:-)

[Marie]

Somethme just one thing emerges from the chaos...and it defines everything...

[New Dawn]

Thanks for reading

[quinfinn]

blatantly clever using a coffee ring to personify the wicked intent of the former significant other... i absolutely love this! this is superb insight and excellent execution of the deliverable message. new favorite!

[New Dawn]

Wow thank you so much - actually wrote this a time ago for a competition so couldn't post it before. Glad you enjoyed it so much - it was inspired by a song about the first cracks in a marriage and whilst looking for inspiration how to begin I spied a coffee ring on our our table and voila! Thank you for your lovely review :)

[quinfinn]

glad to oblige, terrific write!