for Joe, 12/1/00

so we celebrate your birthday

with breakfast at Blue Willow

where you can order your favorite:

eggs, ham, potatoes,

extra slices of raisin toast,

coffee, orange juice

 

all the treats you’d cook for me

when you first moved in

 

I look up from my waffle

and catch your eyes watching

my face

so I look down

before you can see me smile

 

after seventeen years

you want everything casual

pretend to care

only a little

 

the maple syrup on my waffle

sweet

the salsa on your eggs

hot