Didn't You Used To Be...? (Poetry)

He wipes the table, keeps his head held low
there’s someone staring, trying to decide
and talking to her friend who doesn’t know
if they should ask or better let it ride

‘Excuse me ...’ here it comes — he sighs and turns
puts on a civil tone and answers ‘Yes?’
inside a spark of old resentment burns
he will deny, however hard they press

She smiles as though to put him at his ease
‘Aren’t you the guy from that old TV show?’
her friend is nodding now like she agrees
they’ve rumbled him. He answers quietly ‘No.’

They look at one another — back at him
unconvinced she gives it one more shot
‘Then you’re his double — or maybe a twin?’
He shakes his head ‘I get that quite a lot’

‘Can I fetch you something else?’ He clears their plates
‘No thanks’ The blonde one looks him in the eye
she’s just the kind of customer he hates —
the sort who cannot help but prod and pry

‘You’re so like him ... I met him once ...’ a pause
‘He was a charmer — quite the ladies man!’
she purrs and taps her nails blood-red as claws
‘He wore a ring like yours on his left hand’

‘Not me!’ His tone now gruff ‘I must get on’
he moves between the tables, grabs a tray
keeps busy out the back until they’re gone
and then he goes and wipes their crumbs away

That night he packs, returns his rental key
sits waiting at the station, stirs his cup
checks the wall map, searching wearily
for towns so small his past might not catch up