The Waitress Brought Him the Menu
his wife threw him out
told him he was not handsome
told him he was not romantic
told him he did not earn enough
told him he was a bore in bed
pulling the pickup out of the driveway
like a thunder clap over the Prairies
loneliness wrapped him up in a sad embrace
embraced what little remained human in him
he drove numb
he pulled his vintage ford v8 into a truck stop lot
he sat at the counter 3 stools b/w him three burly truckers
they reeked of cigarettes & diesel & sweat
the waitress brought him a menu
her eyes sd welcome her heart was somewhere else
coffee she asked yes he sd
he paused his eyes lingered on the midnight angel
more than he should have he turned to the menu
the truckers returned to their rigs
a purolator driver sat at a booth by a window
jane a coffee & hot beef sandwich he sd with a wave
she returned to him asked are you ready to order
he tripped over his tongue uhhhh & blurted out blt
his eyes followed her she moved like a dancer
when she brought him his blt his fingers graced hers good gracious
he was in love for at least the next 30 minutes
he ate finished the last of his coffee with one gulp paid the bill
before he stepped outside into the cloudless night
he turned to look at her one last time
she was too busy to look up at him he thought a hapless hope
she handed a menu to the 16 year old trying to sober up
he stepped into the black night
loneliness kissed him on the lips
I love you it sd
Grant Guy is a Canadian poet, writer and playwright. He has over one hundred poems and short stories published in internationally and five books . His plays include an adaptation of Paradise Lost and the Grand Inquisitor. He is the recipient of many grants and awards.