the deli dream

you dream about a sandwich.
it's wrapped in wax paper.
there might be cheese on it.
a pickle too.
ham, a variety of deli meats.
lettuce and a sliced tomato.
they have a name for the sandwich.
which you call out
to the woman behind the counter.
she yells it out to someone
else. it takes a long time
to come. too long.
you ask where is your sandwich.
no one seems to know.
you're hungry. it's crowded
and hot in the small room.
no one seems to be leaving,
the bell above the door
jingles as more people come
in. you are pressed against
the counter. the crowd moving
as one from side to side.
you realize that it's only a dream,
but you are hungry.
you can taste the bite of bread
and meat in your open mouth.
it's a long night. you want
a different dream. one about
love perhaps, you want
to wake up, but you are
patient, you are not leaving
without your sandwich.