AT MY SERVICE
what will be true
of my service ?
DADDY
MOMMA
She knows the recipe
Has the address
Remembers the time of my birth
And she always
Always
Always
Believes that I have worth.
APPLE RED HAPPINESS (A True Story)
FAMILY
HOUSEKEEPING
PAIN
RIDE SHARE RESCUE
TEACHERS
COLLECTIBLES
MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE
SERVICE INDUSTRY
NEW TIRES
Tire repair:
Needed
Car warranty:
Exceeded
Good coffee:
Well-Heated
In the Lobby
I’m seated
You fix and finance everything
I return home
Less defeated
TOW TRUCK TAG ALONG
Even if I had my own tow truck
I wouldn’t know how to use it.
ROADSIDE
The young man is polite
No older than my son
He is fixing the first of two flats in my week
No umbrella
No complaint
He will not accept a tip
MidNight McSERVICE (No Sugar)
“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”
CIRCLE K
‘Twenty on pump five...’
‘...and all this...’
I say
Spreading a buffet of caffeinated ambition
and bad nutrition
In array
SIRI-ously
“What time is it ?”
I ask again
Without judgement
(Again)
BARISTA
I’ll take mine black
Strong as He-Man
And talking back
Bulleted with bold espresso
Misspell my name
on your largest to-go