Family (June 30, 2009)

indecisive mother
not hungry for anything
—but always sushi


Russian family
Italian restaurant
—sushi for dinner

Rain (June 25, 2009)

a beautiful store
filled with ugly customers
—I should be thankful


another bad mood—
I used to be so cheerful...
only a women

Sunshine (June 10, 2009)

when we meet again—
eagerly I count the days
of this rainy week

gaggle of models
the most beautiful is mine
bathing in sunlight

Warmth

a spiteful stoplight
faces of those around me
they feel what I feel

June

Parmesan refill
How quickly shakers empty
—Passage of time

Another Friday (May 22, 2009)

that fated wedding—
I hoped I’d never forget
your beautiful face


approaching summer
the temperature of my tea
makes the day seem cool


clouds obscure the sun—
laughing at the sad attempt
the sun shines elsewhere


day filled with bird chirps
complaining about the heat
I know how you feel


birds tweet in nature
under air conditioning
I am tweeting too


every thought of you
soothes the bitterness away
a drop of honey

First Mosquito (May 13, 2009)

inside drinking tea
just recently I notice
the thunderstorm

my amazing bed—
already sleeping in it …
soon my dreams come true

a lone mosquito
doesn’t have time to regret
—the first of many

I fucking crushed him
before he knew what happened
the first of many

underneath make-up
hide more layers of beauty
to infinity

Anticipation (May 12, 2009)

Out of Tabasco
Another bottle purchased
Mexican workers


Familiar tea
Pulses of dinner traffic—
Where are they eating


My mother’s stories
A trouble-making baby—
I apologize


An occupied mind
Re-arranging furniture
Soon to be my home

Friday— (May 8, 2009)

a dribble of milk
changes the flavor of tea
the day is gloomy


incessant complaints
a fly buzzing in my ear
—working with mother


Friday dinner rush
Almost breaks me into sweat
Just out of practice

After-Birthday (May 3, 2009)

parmesan shakers
conspicuously empty
lack of customers


freshly-washed bed sheets—
never underestimate
the soothing power

Friday (May 1, 2009)

bad economy
forgotten by media
thankful to swine-flu

another birthday
a superfluous excuse
to see Emily

a bleaching mishap
after a dozen washes
—My hands smell like bleach

refills of water
drink without satisfaction
a salty sandwich

I Am So Graceful

I just realized something today—

In my entire food service career, I have never had any kind of traumatic accident. I have never dropped a large tray of food. I've never dropped any kind of pasta or burger in the kitchen. I have never spilled anything on a customer.

I am just like a figure skater out there.

English Class (Circa 2003)

The girl sitting next to me
She is very pretty I can see
But I wonder, can she hear?
With seven piercings in her ear?
“Fox”

Clumsy clumsy teacher is
Giving us a silly quiz
Every day he breaks the chalk
Obsessively I check the clock
“Balloon”

Behind me sits a regular bloke
Always ready to give a dry joke
He might as well stand up and cheer
“I love football, pizza and beer!”
“Reg”

The girl in front of me exposing her thong
I thank her for letting me stare for so long
She’s very stupid I always thought
But there is no doubt that she is hot
“Babe”

The boy behind me kicking my chair
I am about to pull out my hair
If he hits it one more time
I will commit a heinous crime
“Troll”

The disgusting kid who never talks
Always wearing the dirtiest socks
Worn out sandals on his feet
Hey kid, take a shower that would be sweet
“Grease beast”

Just another day in English class
I only learn to let time pass
Looking forward to when it’s done
It’s not so bad, time flies during fun
(Sigh)

Rain (April 29, 2009)

single lost women
asks a dozen bus drivers
—miss-matched directions


White Castle breakfast
worse than I remember
rainy spring morning

Work Musings

Guy walks in, asks me what is on the buffet. I show him him the pesto rigotoni with italian sausage, penne with artichoke hearts and mushrooms, linguini with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes and spaghetti. Is there pizza on the buffet also he asks? Yes, we have pepperoni pizza, sausage pizza, and alfredo chicken with tomato.

"Looks like too many carbs. Thanks anyway."
"... alright (This is a fucking PIZZERIA DUMBSHIT.)"

Friday Night Blues (April 24, 2009)

friday evening
few patrons participate
all of them ugly

two mature adults
leave a mess like toddlers—
disgusting piggies

non-paying patrons
pissing on my toilet seat
I’m gritting my teeth

greasy fingerprints
I only like children
when the slip and fall

lipstick like a clown
the mirror in her bathroom
—probably broken

ugly family
“buffet art” on their clothing
like father like son

A Slim Chance at Happiness (April 20, 2009)

all in on the flop
drawing to a royal flush
versus a full house

a rainy monday
expecting to hear crickets
—unpredictable

fifteen minutes pass
indecisive customers
—ham and cheese sandwich

I Hate Friday (April 17, 2009)

friday evening
it’s never busy enough
but still exhausting

forgotten tea cup—
I remember after three
where I had left it

potential visit?
possibility of her—
brightens my weekend

so many sunsets
I’ve come to appreciate
empty dining room

full brown paper bags
not from the grocery store—
busy liquor store

second I relax—
dash to get the telephone
telemarketer

Emily’s absence
facebook loses it’s appeal
—just HTML

A Cranky Gentlemen (April 15, 2009)

every phone call
brings me closer to anger
hate all the voices

a true summer day
our patio is ready
in use by no one

excited to see
how badly she will hurt me—
this girl of my dreams

iced tea with honey
my summer-time fixation
I am still sweating

another pay day
one step closer to my house
Zeno’s Paradox

Boredom (April 6, 2009)

coffee versus tea
two hours spent deciding
getting sleepier

shot of espresso—
hypnotizing steam escapes
until its all gone

parking lot shadows
sunset manipulated—
stretch and disappear