I walk into the bakery next door
To my apartment. They are about
To pull some sort of toast with cheese
From the oven. When I ask:
What’ s that smell? I am being
A poet, I am asking
What everyone else in the shop
Wanted to ask, but somehow couldn’ t;
I am speaking on behalf of two other
Customers who wanted to buy the
Name of it. I ask the woman
Behind the counter for a percentage
Of her sale. Am I flirting?
Am I happy because the days
Are longer? Here’ s what
She does: She takes her time
Choosing the slices. “I am picking
Out the good ones,” she tells me. It’ s
April 14th.. Spring, with five to ten
Degrees to go. Some days, I feel my duty;
Some days, I love my work.