Phaleron

At Cassie's Diner,

the eggs are never over and rarely easy.

Your waitress may be falling in love with you,

or with your husband, or with the hard "R" when you say ,

"I must have left my bag in the car."

She may be in love with you, or

you only think she is.

She may be unavailable, or not even listening as you order. 

Every plate is a surprise

balanced on her arm like row of flat Earths,

the coffees steaming like new planets

And one of them has your name on it.

The napkins open to exactly the right passage,

the one you thought you'd never find,

Written by Athenian scribes in shimmering antiquity.

Aren't you glad you came?

(That was unexpected, yeah?)

Cassie's Diner is conveniently located

at the intersection of Eros and Morpheus,

open 24 hours, accessible by accident, vegan-friendly, 

unpredictable buffet, situated on a slight incline, nice view of the bay.

_______

For Dverse Poetics: "Poetics at the restaurant."

image at top is Charlotte Gainsbourg.