picking up a cake

i see the baker

in his

tall white hat

and white apron leaning

against the wall

outside the bakery,

he's smoking a cigarette

and looking

down at the ground.

he needs a shave.

he's been up since

3 am,

making cakes and pies.

bread.

there's flour

on his chin,

what looks like

cherry jam on his collar.

he nods at me,

says hello, the wedding cake

right? 

it's ready, he says.

then smashes

his cigarette under

his powdered shoe 

before going back in.