Nighttime Tea

They meet when
 the others
are long home
perhaps
putting feet up,
watching football
or soap operas
saved from
the workday.

They take
off their coats
and sit, pulling
their chairs close.
Their server
places two cups
of hot tea
and honey,
without asking,
on their table.

She quietly lights
the candle,
turns the lights
down low,
and leaves them,
only returning to
fill their cups
in silence.

He takes her
hand in his,
and they talk
about their day,
all the while
looking into each
other's eyes,
sometimes laughing
with silliness.

They get up
to go; and
breaking her
self-imposed
silence, the
server says,
"I don't often
see such love
in this place,"
and refuses
to take
his dollars.