The Diner Waitress
by Jennifer Hollie Bowles


Fry grease, ketch-
up, and syrup settles
sticky and moist onto her skin.

Old men call her sweetie
and grab her ass when
she serves grits.

She defends herself with the coffee-
pot, charming them with her smile,
as she dreams of far away places...

some day their fifty cent
tips will set her free.






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