MidNight McSERVICE (No Sugar)
The closing crew, hours ahead of schedule
Have started cleaning up
Too soon
Have started cleaning up
Too soon
We stragglers still need coffee
And fries
We know not to ask for ice cream
And fries
We know not to ask for ice cream
“Medium Americano, please”
“And a large unsweet tea”
“extra ice if you don’t mind...no sugar”
I re-emphasize
This far South,
‘Sweet’ is all that translates
and syrup is always pre-supposed
The first sip of tea is crisp
and cold, my coffee delivered hot, without excuses.
I am deeply grateful
Behind me, a bag gulps to life
in the hands of a young man taking out the trash
Everyone here just wants to go home
I cram the receipt and straw paper into my pocket
instead of the yawning can
Stepping into the night, convinced this small act will translate:
“Thank you, have a good night
Godspeed you home”