the red flags were flying

it was a long

smokey bar called Moe's,

that served breakfast

all day,

beer

and burgers at night.

fried chicken

and Salisbury

steaks with mashed potatoes

after 5 pm.

Frank was

on the grill.

Marge was waiting tables

and working

the register.

there's pictures on

the wall

pinned up

next to the no smoking

sign.

photos of them

when they were younger.

thinner

and had all their natural

teeth,

both them

lookers.

holiday stars

in black and white.

the edges

are yellowed though.

there was a donut case

out front,

filled daily

by a guy named Roy,

and a bottle of ketchup

on every

table. a juke box too

that took nickels.

it closed last week,

Marge died with lung

cancer, and Frank

threw in the towel for

a trailer in Florida,

near Jacksonville.

i took a fiancé there once

for scrambled eggs

and bacon,

hashbrowns

and coffee.

she had green tea and a tuna

sandwich,

without the bread.

the red flags were flying.