Saturday book feature — Sooner or Later — Jane Blanchard

This place gets busy in July.
We stand inside, three of us, queued,
Waiting and watching passersby.

Once seated, oh-so-hungry, dry,
We long to order drinks and food.
This place gets busy in July.

With menu too-well-viewed, we try
To flag down any dame or dude
But watch as waiters pass us by.

With order placed at last, we vie
To see who has the least bad mood.
This place gets busy in July.

When served (’bout time!), we satisfy
Ourselves till all is sipped or chewed,
Then wait and watch those passing by.

To get the bill run, paid, we sigh
And signal, nothing rude or crude.
This place gets busy in July.
Wait! Watch us pass on a goodbye.

by Jane Blanchard from Sooner or Later (Kelsay Books 2022)

Cover image: Alice Bailly, Tea Time, 1920

Cover design: Shay Culligan

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