| |
|
On his way to work, he buys
a double espresso and a croissant.
Sole breadwinner, he says he deserves
that perk, while I worry the bills
we can't afford to pay, do the wash,
and drink black coffee from a chipped mug.
October's trees dazzle with color,
leaves crunch underfoot, scent like cinnamon
pulses the air. I push one child in the stroller,
cajole the other to stay close as we head
to the market to buy ground beef on sale.
A sudden wind whips dead leaves in our faces.
On impulse, I stop at the coffee shop
where I imagine him whipping his wallet out
like a man who prefers his Porterhouse rare.
I lift one boy onto my hip, steer the other
to the counter and with the meatloaf money
buy a foamy latte and two hot chocolates.
This poem first appeared in U.S. 1 Worksheets in 2017.
Used here with the author's permission.
|
Nancy Scott was an author and artist in New Jersey. Managing editor of U.S. 1 Worksheets for more than a decade, she was the author of five full-length books and four chapbooks. Nancy began writing poetry in the mid-‘90s as a way to share experiences and insights from her earlier career as a social worker. Nancy's latest poetry collection, A Little Excitement, was named "first choice for summer 2021 reading" by North of Oxford. Her art was frequently hung in juried shows and, sometimes, her poetry and art were featured together.
|
|
rhonasheridan:
A great poem Nanćy.. I've been there Wheni itwas scallops or haddock,!
Posted 10/09/2018 12:09 PM
|
Jo:
That's the spirit. Really like your poems, Nancy.
Posted 10/07/2018 06:40 PM
|
barbsteff:
Yay! for the poet. That'll fix 'im.
Posted 10/07/2018 04:14 PM
|
wordartdjc:
And probably very true.
Posted 10/07/2018 03:26 PM
|
Lori Levy:
Great poem. I love the ending and agree with the other comments people made.
Posted 10/07/2018 12:45 PM
|
Sharon Waller Knutson:
I love Nancy Scott poems. She has a talent for showing the realities of life with good writing skills, keen insight, unique images and irony.
Posted 10/07/2018 11:37 AM
|
bettiebill:
I agree with Kevin. The Porterhouse line is fantastic. I've added it to my collection of favorites sentences.
Posted 10/07/2018 11:30 AM
|
Jean Colonomos-1:
Such a wonderful twist ending.
Posted 10/07/2018 10:45 AM
|
cork:
I can't think of a better use for the meatloaf money.
Posted 10/07/2018 09:59 AM
|
KevinArnold:
Great fun. "like a man who prefers his Porterhouse rare." Is a great line.
Posted 10/07/2018 09:28 AM
|
plgoodman:
Hooray! You go girl!
Posted 10/07/2018 07:25 AM
|
|
|
|
My Cart 
