the waitress at Moe's Diner

she tells me

that i'm lucky to have her

as a friend

and possible lover,

if things

turn out right.

wink wink wink.

i'm a regular, so she

knows my name.

i used to be

a cheerleader,

she says,

a model, an actress.

i have an MFA from

Columbia,

and have published

many poems

in high brow

periodicals.

i could have been

a Rockette

on Broadway, take a long

look at these legs.

she raises

the hem of her

dress and apron

to show me

the right leg, then the left.

i'm taking night

classes now

to become a nurse.

she adjusts her blonde wig

where a pen

rests behind her ear.

i tell her, that's great,

that's great.

can i have a menu?

and what's the special today?

still serving

that Salisbury Steak?