the dinner theater

it was a fine attempt
to stage the west side
story
at the strip mall dinner
theater
off route 236.
the music was loud,
the dancers and singers
were expressive
and enthusiastic
when they took to
the stage after serving
meals and drinks
to an audience of mostly
octogenarians
who had arrived on
buses from as far
away as new jersey.
the jets versus
the sharks. but there
was a little too much
swish in their hips,
sweetness in their
threats and limp in
their wrists as they
jabbed words and rubber
knives
at one another.
and you remember
during the tender moment
of the song
maria, as the lights
grew blue and soft
and the young actor
sang with his hands
clenched to his heart,
how an old man
in the audience
at his round table of
clinking glasses
and spoons
and coffee cups,
stood up and yelled,
I can't eat this meat,
look it's stringy,
dangling his grey
strip steak
and gristle out to his
waiter who was singing.