They sit there--hungry eyes

looking at the hips and thighs

of shop girls walking to their tables.

The room spins

for the hot touch of

fingers on flesh.

The artificial smiles flicker

like stars burnt out

light years ago,

and the gestures,

sly and clever,

mannered after movie stars,

are meant to bring

the hungry ones together

for a nibble.

And if some two should meet

tonight--cold in the hot arms

of each other,

will they think about the ice age

that has come?