Diner

by Leah L. Cole

Someone's whistling
Off key
Back in the kitchen
The ladies at the
Next table over
Are smoking
And one is chewing
Her nails.
The plain stucco walls
The blue plastic chairs
And the booths
Cradle a way of life
The waitress makes plans
At the cash register
For after her shift
The atmosphere reaches to me
And I slurp at my hearty soup.

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