The diner glows fluorescent at 2 a.m.,
beckons boozers and truckers, runaways,
women between men.
Mary receives them
as her namesake received Gabriel,
pours coffee unbidden, tends
to coconut cream and lemon meringue,
eggs over easy, a malt for the guy
with stringy hair, jittery for a fix.
She saves her tips in a pickle jar
under the grill — enough, she hopes,
to post 50 bucks for her old man’s bail
come morning.
Sarah Russell
First published in Kentucky Review
Photo: Diners, Delis & Dives
Open Mic night at dVerse. Come join the fun.
Sarah Russell Poetry 
Loved it!
LikeLike
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Another great one. Would be curious to know the thinking behind the lines…
“Mary receives them as her namesake received Gabriel,”
Obviously biblical but was their some specific thought you had when you wrote those lines?
Still enjoying your poetry/writings!
Bob
>
LikeLike
Thanks, Bob, but interpretations aren’t mine to explain. They are always the reader’s own. Maybe others will weigh in.
LikeLike
I remember when we had a prompt on 2 am… so much happening, or nothing. There is a life’s story in that jar of tips.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Based on a true story, Bjorn. And there is truly a life’s story there. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Excellent story-telling. Seamless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Colin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big smile here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had to go check out a poetry blog called I hate poetry… And like Frost said, it IS a condition. Thanks.
LikeLike
This is soo incredibly vivid! I felt like I was there 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much!
LikeLike
I so enjoyed the descriptions of the people and food served at the diner and Mary’s tip jar with hopes to spring her man from jail…that says a lot right there!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Gayle. Just visited your site and am enjoying your poetry very much.
LikeLike
Cool poem! Sounds like the setup to a gritty movie, but so real, too. So many people live a version of this life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, so true. And often these folks are invisible. Thanks.
LikeLike
A real slice of life, served up with a side of hard-scrabble truth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, MW. The truth for a lot of women, I think.
LikeLike
It was simply delightful. I really loved how you described the different food and people and the details such as, “money in the jar under the grill”, really wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem at all!
LikeLike
This poem is cinematographic, Sarah, and really zings in the imagination. The ending is so poignant:
‘She saves her tips in a pickle jar
under the grill — enough, she hopes,
to post 50 bucks for her old man’s bail
come morning’.
LikeLike
Thanks, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
love these slice of life poems..this one is wonderful.
LikeLike
Thank you, Rajani. I just went over to visit your site. Beautiful poetry.
LikeLike
Thank you Sarah, that’s very kind. Appreciate your support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh my……..you’ve painted quite a scene. The quintessential small time diner. I’m reminded of that old tv show Alice and the waitress who chewed gum and had a flamboyant lacey hankie in her pocket! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smile here. I loved Alice’s sass. Mary didn’t take any guff either, but was a bit more broken down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure that diner could tell many tales…from both sides of the counter!
LikeLike
Yup. Thanks for reading, Bryan.
LikeLike
So sorry, unexpected visitors last night have made me rather late in responding to your piece. A great poem Sarah: “eggs over easy, a malt for the guy
with stringy hair, jittery for a fix.” is perfect and very beautiful writing…
LikeLike
Thanks, Scott. High praise!
LikeLike
This is a visual treat. Nice.
LikeLike
Thanks very much, Misty.
LikeLike
There’s a whole life in this short poem, beautifully and succinctly told.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jane.
LikeLike
My pleasure 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful descriptive perspective on the microcosm of a middle-of-the-night diner and its patrons! You took us there with you. Bravo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bev.
LikeLike
A nicely wrought vignette!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennifer.
LikeLike
A very vivid story poem for all the senses, you can smell the food and feel the heartache
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Xenia.
LikeLike
This is SO good. I love your style.
The second stanza is my favorite. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Omega.
LikeLike
Great description od the dinner, her loyal lady and the reality of her life…bkm
LikeLike
Thanks, Barbara. I knew the lady, and she surely was loyal.
LikeLike
I can hear plates clink and Mary calling customers “hon”…enjoyed the flavor and humanity of this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lynn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Admiring the snapshot of Mary doing her double shift ~ Enjoyed this one ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Grace.
LikeLike
Good story telling. Intense.
LikeLike
Thanks, Imelda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice. A whole story here, great detailing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Sarah.
LikeLike