on the old road

overnight
I've become my grandfather.
the radio tuned
to npr,
as I hug the right lane
on the interstate,
drinking coffee.
i'm wearing
loafers
and a plaid shirt,
comfortable khaki
pants.
I stop a few times
along the way
to go to
the bathroom
making small talk with
the man behind
the counter
at the gas station
who hands me a key
attached to a two
by four.
when I turn the key back
in I ask
Omar
if he knows of a good
place to eat
in this town.
he points across the street
to a pizza hut.
it's good, he says, if
you like pizza.
thanks I tell him,
then check my wallet for
coupons.