THE WAITRESS.

i ran in circles

'round linen table

placing crystal glass

and porcelain platters.

clattering silver forks

and sharpened knives

over folded napkins

both fluffed and frilled.

i kissed the cheeks

of every guest

in shoes too small

and clothes too tight.

a smile hoist

by wire and woe,

but it never flickers -- 

it's against the uniform.

under candle lit setting

i served every meal

feeling sick, feeling sad

but never moving my tongue.

the water pitcher

sweats 

under conversations

i'm not a part of.

cloaked by the cacophony 

of them and this and that,

i sit in my chair -- 

empty plate, empty cup.

it was my pleasure

to serve you today.

Reviews

[Raven]

There are often thankless jobs we must go through until they become unbearable and we look elsewhere. Your poem makes the waitress human in this with feelings. You did a great job on this.

[Yellow Submarine.]

This is why I tip well and i remind others to do the same. Good waitresses or waiters make a meal special.

I appreciate the difficult circumstances the waitress is dealing with as well. It's very difficult to 'put on a face ' to ones who don't care.

[S€H@J]

Now this is something one feels when He has a lot to say but nobody to say it to THE inner turmoil has been vividly explained over here great job miss.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Dear Emunah, I have to assume this arose from the days following your grandfather’s death.. How are you?

[Emunah June.]

Michael,

I wish I could say I was better. I think / fear I am spiraling a little, but trying to stay optimistic now.

[FlatDaddy]

My wife was a waitress for many years, off and on -- not the fancy ones like in your piece, but the lower end of those jobs, The Dennys and IHOPs and such, so I understand every line in your poem (trading out the crystal, fine linen, porcelain and other finery for more common fare, but it's all the same: the blank stares, flat smiles, and turned up noses. Oh, yes, I know it well. Did a little bar back work myself betweens gigs with my band. Good hard, honest work, by both my wife and myself. You brought back some memories for sure.

[Einstein Noodle]

poignant ... strong closing says i! i feel the emptiness :( V4 is my favorite ... the brutality of the wire smile is creative and powerful to me. thanks for sharing your poetry ... right here at the Cafe`
E.

[Emunah June.]

Thank you so much for your review! I wouldnt want to share my work anywhere else .. though, I do worry that day is coming.

[Where Rivers Wander]

Something about this really draws the reader in. A tribute that lingers.

[Emunah June.]

Hopefully, its in a way that resonates.

[Davidgeo]

I hope you got a good tip at least.

Are the robots going to write poems about this stuff after they take all our jobs?

Also, I think you should watch more of the early seasons of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

[Emunah June.]

The tip has been less than fulfilling lately, I must admit.

I do sometimes wonder what AI would write about if left unattended. I pray we never have to find out.

Yeah? Whys that?

[Davidgeo]

Why? Because of Charlie Kelly and his relationship with the waitress of course. Why else? Are you trying to say me and Mac are gay? Or that Dennis and I are secretly serial killers behind the scenes because thats just... crazy.

[Emunah June.]

Squints...

[Davidgeo]

Maybe this would be better explained through a musical stage play

[emmajoygreen]

What a poem! Not sure whether cynical, sad, lonely or invisible but certainly a poem that's finely written and to two or so more times then.. think about over and over. A waitress is a worthy woman, as long as thanked with a word, smile or nod of appreciation.