Tuesday 18 August 2009

A Fortune Teller

A fortune teller,
After swirling,
And swirling,
And swirling my tea leaves round and round,
For nearly forty-four seconds,
Enquired,
Without looking up,
If I own a dishwasher,
I said no I didn't.

And,
She shook her head,
So slowly,
With a theatrical thoughtfulness,
Like she was a female beardless Brian Blessed,
Pronounced,
Bless-ed.

Have you ever owned a dishwasher?
No, never.

She stared into space,
For what seemed a bite-sized eternity.
A barely discernible thin film of sweat.
Then finally,
She stabbed,
Do you know anyone who owns a dishwasher?

I'm sure I do,
I'm sure i do.

Good.
She said.
Good.
Because, you know,
If you had said no,
I would have had no choice,

But to return your consultation fee.

Now,
That impressed me.