Into the caffeteria
walks an old man
too poor to retire
he goes to make instant coffee
frantically spooning 8 tablespoons of sugar
into his small plastic cup
muttering incoherently
he adds boiling water
the cup overflows
scalding his hand
sugary black liquid paints tau over the counter
as he strirs incessantly
he fumbles the spoon into the sink with a clank
as a young colleague resemblant of his son
looks at him with pitiful contempt –
it doesn’t register.