the artefact that should never have become such

the artefact that should never have become such

i just put it on my table,
beside the coffee, and
a crowd formed.

at first, it was just one man,
pretending to read a menu that was pinned down
like a butterfly.

then three young girls,
all metal teeth and diet drinks.

then two men in tracksuits,
all hot and angry from the gym,
looking puzzled.

i felt protective,
instinctively
moving a hand over it.

trapped now,
by a semi-circle of walled eyes
fixed on my tabletop,
their gazes showing an animal panic…

the herd rearing for the unknown object…

i pick up my book,
an actual book,
and push my way out
of the world.