Ode to the Bagel Girl

We stand waiting for the 253 to Redmond
The fog sits lightly on our tongues
Cigarette smoke blending in

I walk to catch a glimpse of the bagel girl
(who works the second shift,
from noon to eight on weekdays).

Oh bagel girl, make me a cappucino.
Brew the espresso dark and heavy
Froth the milk thick and heady.

Tell me you love me, bagel girl.
Ride away with me
Into a cream cheese sunset.


I wrote this on the bus home. There was a young girl with a beautiful face sitting at the front of the bus, and I kept looking at her before I started to write. I was laughing so hard as I wrote this, that she started to get pretty self-conscious.