Inspired by Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks," taking the p.o.v. of the waiter in the painting. |
http://www.artknowledgenews.com/files2007/EdwardHopperNighthawks.jpg Reflections of a Counter Waiter Ah, the lucky ones- The fine ladies, chatting In their brightly colored dresses - A rainbow of ruby, gold, and emerald - And the stoic gentlemen Who accompany them in faded top hats. Yet for all their fancy parties, Cocktail hours and dances, For all their expensive cars, Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs, For all their cookie-cutter Houses in the green-hilled suburbs, They always end up here, Good ol' reliable here, Where good ol' reliable me will serve them - Ham sandwiches and chips, Ice creams and sodas - Over a cracked, syrup-sticky counter. On the other hand (empty hand - they forgot to tip), Perhaps I am the lucky one - I have never enjoyed the high side of society - Olives dancing in a glass of clear, strong liquid, Flying down the road in a polished black car, A square house with a white picket fence, Only to end up back here, Dusty, dingy, dilapidated Here, a world of Dirty dishes (sinkfuls of 'em), A leaky ceiling (buckets on the floor), And broken seats (spring poking your rear)... "Good ol' reliable here," Where good ol' reliable me will leave At the end of my double-shift, Home to a dusty, dingy, dilapidated One-room studio To live my humble, But consistent, Life. |