Just a Waitress (poem) by Lark L Pogue on AuthorsDen

Just a Waitress
by Lark L Pogue → (All Poetry by Lark L Pogue)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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Here's hoping other people with waiter or waitress experience will add a poem about their work experience.

Running around, sorting out jeers, More glasses here! Pitchers of beer! Hey, Honey, could you check our order now? They’ve had time to cook the whole cow! Pointing at his watch, a hand in the air, “I only got an hour. Are they cooking in there?” She's gotta get back to work, yelling for a check. If I run any faster, I'll fall and break my neck. “You call this food? Come take a look.” And back I go to tell the tired cook. “What's he want, a gourmet meal? Tell him this ain't the Ritz, it's the $5 deal.” Caught in the middle: waitress, table cleaner. Think I'll quit, everyone's getting meaner. Then a regular winks at me, “Don't let him get to ya, let it be.” On his way out, he stops to say “I hope this will help your day.” And leaves a big tip, that wonderful guy. Bigger than usual, and now I know why I really like my job, cause most of the time It's people like him that make up for that dime.

Reviewed by Diana Legun

Reviewed on September 20, 2024

Waitress work I did when I was young �
my chance to be This Person to someone;
This Person, like the waitress of long, long ago
who was extra nice to me in the best way I know.
Catching a Greyhound, I went home from school,
carrying my typewriter with manual keys.
The bus stopped for a lunch break and I was so hungry.
She saw me there on the retro naugahyde stool,
me counting my change to see what I could buy,
checking the menu, trying not to cry.

It was a cup of chili. I could afford nothing else,
yet she brought me a bowl and crackers from the shelf.
I ate them with relish, with gratitude for her kindness.
Then I was surprised when more crackers appeared
at my appreciative place
from this sensitive person,
this Waitress of Grace.
9/20/2024 ~~ djl

Reviewed by Michael True

Reviewed on October 11, 2013

Great poem, it's taking us there! Just think about being a computer programmer or some other tedious mind-bending gig. Stuck in a cubicle, staring at a flat screen all day. At the very least, here is your social life!

Reviewed by Jane Noponen Perinacci

Reviewed on October 5, 2013

You are so right! It's those few who know what a waitress goes through that understand. Oh, hon! Do I know what you mean!!! Still, we try to put that smile on in the dining room while in the kitchen we can be ourselves!!

Love ya!

Jane

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on September 27, 2013

Waitressing is certainly a tough, thankless job. One that my mother spent many years at. She worked at a local lunch counter in a grocery store. I stopped by one noon and ordered a hamburger. She poured my coffee before I ordered and amazed me with her efficiency. Unfortunately, she, like you, and so many others are not paid a living wage and must rely on the kindness of tippers to make it. Tipping should be an extra reward, not a livelihood.

Ron

Reviewed by John Bidwell

I bet there must be ba lot of... "Sorry to interrupt your phone call...but here is your dinner."
I'm leaving better tips these days.
Well written.
John

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

Hah! I was married to a waitress. I know how it is. Nicely written poem, Lark.