she was from Texas

the woman

a few cramped tables

away from us

at the Carnegie Deli,

is from Texas.

we know this because

we can hear

every word she says,

as she talks loudly

as if the only person

in the diner.

on the table 

in front of her

she has an enormous

four tier stack

of pancakes

covered in strawberries

and whipped cream,

on top of eggs, and six

strips

of bacon, which is disappearing

quickly despite her

soliloquy

about the Longhorn State.

sometimes she raises

the glass pitcher

of maple syrup

into the air

to make a point about

horses or cows,

or the rodeo,

or someone she knew as

a child

who played the violin

at Carnegie Hall.