the bakery beside Strosnider's hardware

it's a real bakery.

not a store with detergents

and meat,

papers and pens,

lettuce

and peas.

it's just bakery goods,

made from

scratch

in the back room by

an old man and woman.

wearing

white smocks

and hats.

cakes and pastries,

napoleons

and eclairs,

maple laced donuts,

and bear claws.

there's bread too,

raisin

and cinnamon.

French and Italian.

there's a line out the door

that has a bell

that rings when you enter.

you can taste

the flour and dough,

the sugar

and cream

before taking the first

bite,

all of it lined in shiny

rows

under the clear

warmed glass.

it's Sunday.