It’s funny what you remember most clearly
about that first foray into the work force.
At Burger Chef, what I remember most was a shy boy
who shared a porno piece.
It was a cartoon. – A naked woman
who fled screaming from a huge penis.
The thing was close on her heels, and in hot pursuit.
It was ridiculous! A bratwurst, really,
Complete with bouncing ‘nads and a set of legs.
I wasn’t shocked by the image
as much as the fact that Brian showed it to me.
Brian! ....with his startched khaki’s and purple pimples
and his white paper hat. You just never know....
Inez worked there too.
She told me how happy she was in her second marriage.
She and her husband would lie in bed at night and pick their noses
and share about their day.
Husband number one beat her, so this was her idea of heaven.
Then, at the Shoney’s Hot Shoppe I met Ruby –
a pink collar gal if ever there was one.
Ruby was 50, feisty and tough. Her skin was like leather
and she had a teased up pouf
that had gotten smashed down during the day
....not unlike Ruby
who had gotten smashed down by life.
And if the eggs got cold,
she’d lean into the window at the cooks and say
“Who do I have to screw to get these done over?”