Thank You

So I start off the morning writing a paper. Go to diner to get breakfast and do research. Then I end up writing a poem about writing a paper in a diner. Paper still isn't written. *Sighhh* Story of my life.

Thank You

The couple next to me
argues loudly

over this that and the other thing
the woman barks
Coffee!
and extends her lumpy arm into the aisle.

The woman in booth three
has had three cups already
she leaves a dollar bill, two quarters, two dimes, one nickel
(that’s it!)
before she vanishes.

I am in the back corner
perusing a tall stack of books

folding pages with my egg stained fingers;

research, for a paper, due tomorrow

The waitress is a skinny thing
with a ponytail and a red apron,
she refills coffee mugs

and carrying armfulls of ceramics plates,

she smiles

“Well, gosh, aren’t you a beauty?” she says to me.

I haven’t slept in two days.

Thanks, I mumble.

On my way out
I leave a 50% tip
'cause she and I

we're in this thing together.

Thank you.