The Waiter
Hilltop Diner
By Halifax
Bring me my drink
Be quick about it
Don’t bother jawing
about daily specials
I know what I want
only one reason
to truck it up here
in the first place
You will bring me
clinking tiles of ice
suspended in the bitter
fullness of time;
a tea both sun-brewed
and fresh lemoned
in a polished glass
sweating from chill
with clean hands
set it on a paper coaster
so crisp and thoughtful
God himself is tempted
off his rocker to witness
then leave me alone
beside him to contemplate
this tabled moment
when expectation
determined reality
As I read this I think of a goodly yet ocd well to-do gentleman who may perhaps be a main protagonist in a future Wes Anderson film. I love the short lines, quick stanzas, and meditative ending. Craftily done, sir.
Off beat minimalism of choice of in time salvages and savages
his consequential pleas in a sensational exchange with his
inner voice.