Java's at Gibbs St

Unframed, uncut, absent but duly made up, conversant unshaven, shaven and missing, slouching and diving and surfing distracted, attractive no more or never attractive, tuned in absent-mindedly, lacking a story.

The high cheekbones and the sharp chin balance the broad jaws, partially veiled by the waves of hair, long and fair. The expansive face, when inanimate, suggests that much of it shall remain unemployed or be abused when expression is attempted. Not so.

The forehead elevates the eyebrows in wonder. The cheeks are plump; the mouth is delicate; both conspire into a smile that compliments. The face lights up, tentatively, not unconditionally. In a conversation, each feature is attended by emotion. Youth accommodated, happiness unexamined, intelligence spontaneous, sincerity. Naïveté?

Sipping from a plastic cup and listening to a jazz band; typing an essay with one and adjusting the spectacles with the other hand; knitting out of defiance or habit, and chatting, to the syncopated beat (with elements of truth in it).

Some bellied and suited—mostly at lunch. Some tarnished and hooded—few such. Some human, some trying.