the kitchen is closed

i get to the diner

too late.

the closed sign is hanging in

the door,

but i see Mary

in there filling up

salt shakers

and ketchup bottles.

i knock on the glass.

she comes over and mouths

the words we're closed.

i take out a twenty

dollar bill and show it

to her.

she opens the door.

two eggs over easy

i tell her, bacon

and hashbrowns, coffee.

she smiles and says

the cook is gone and the

kitchen is closed.

what about a stale

muffin and Sanka?

i tell her sure.