Diner

As promised:  Jim Kelly's "Diner"

Stools swivel through breakfast traffic--

doers and procrastinators

poised for the ride.

Hazel darts between cups, filled with idle time,

and counter tops

rubbed raw by friendly service

Sunny-side-ups lisp atop a stainless stage;

bacon strips sizzle

like lines in a gossip column.

Oohs and ahs emanate from a corner booth; 

an old man lifts his shirt,

assigns numbers to stitches in his scar.

At a table for two, a widower stares into the past, 

blurry eyes fumbling with words--

"A Kiss to Build a Dream On."

Businessmen jostle into slots at the big table,

a sacred place reserved for self-indulgence, 

where subtle glances measure all the women.

Morning disappears

among toast crumbs and gratuities

scattered in the wake of satisfaction.

A chickadee fidgets on the porch railing, 

tips his black cap to diners

dragging bacon scent down the street. 

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Thank You! to Jim Kelly for permission to print Diner

James O. Kelly Englewood, FL 02/14/13