Stella's Cafe
Billings, 21 March 2011
At Stella's the Thank-You waitress
brings your forgotten cole slaw
across thread-bare flooring underlain
by wickedly undersized floor joists
Stella's is evangelical half-way house
where 40 year-old music drifts across
from yesterday like the scent
of the Laurel refinery
It's not that anyone digs The
Wichita Lineman or Cher droning on
about Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves
rather it's because any audible sound
aged less than 40 and loose change
might shake loose common sense
from the Thank-You waitress who
is relieved to be serving you rather
than being jaw-slapped by her
godforsaken soul mate