Blue button-down shirts flock
to a Greenwich Village coffee shop
on a Tuesday morning. Several perch
together uneasily at a table

meant for two, some sit
alone. One is covered by a navy blue
blazer, one cuff having molted

a decorative gold button—the ironed shorts
and canvas boating shoes compensate

nicely. Another gapes and closes
with the sway of the body

inside. A third wears a wry smile above
its collar though that swiftly fades.
The informal uniform

echoes the blue birds on the paper sleeves
stacked behind the counter. A crisp,
white blouse and pink jeans wear a woman
leaning for her cup.