Long Lost Beverage

Glorious Tab

At the local lunch hangout
Nose in a book
I lift my head

It caught my eye
That shade of red
Like no other


Transfixed, wondering to myself
I thought it dead
below the Mason Dixon Line

I watched her lift it
To her lips and
Take a sip

Her eyes twinkled
Cheeks flush with pleasure
She took another

Then I saw the warning label
Danger saccharine ...
Does she know her pleasure has a cost?

Back to my book
She looks so happy
Why would she care?