Cross Words

Like a monk who enters his cell
To sit down in a straight back chair
He spreads the restaurant placemat
To doodle some with his quill.

Draping a napkin in time,
He waits for the friendly wait staff
And also drapes the local Times,
Sunday edition, last one left.

One down meaning suspicious.
Now couple one is Odd to him,
Holding hands across the table,
Nine letters meaning propitious,
Favorable that fits her so
Next to the bar for whom some Joe
Orders manhattans, two down,
Four letters for meticulous,
Tidy, black across, red pen down,
Like the blonde over there
With heels and lipstick

Couple number two makes contact,
"Henry's hell-bent for the car
And parking meter," he thinks she said,
"Hasta la vista" ten letters down
Who rents the flat at twelve across,
For rolls are served while he recalls
"See you soon" and stares at the walls