Per Ardua ad Astra

by Geoff Page

Just the sadder
side of dumpy
she’s working in this 
transfat place,
pulling halfway 
decent coffees.
There is no future 
in her face. 

Cappuccinos 
take a while;
your mind’s relaxing
in the car.
With just a few twists 
of a spoon
she hands you an 
exquisite star.
Recent books by Geoff page include Seriatim (Salt) http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/9781844713004.htm and 60 Classic Australian Poems (UNSW Press) http://www.unswpress.com.au/isbn/9781921410796.htm