I Trudged Into Bay Pizzeria Poem by Charles Chaim Wax

after enduring another day
at Spinoza high school
didn’t have time to eat lunch
starving
ordered a square
tottered to a booth
and plopped down
Two women walked in
looked like mother and daughter
younger one ordered
then sat in front of me
saying, “Next time he opens his mouth
I’m gonna chop off his hand
HE’LL DROWN IN HIS OWN BLOOD”
The older woman said,
“HE’S LIVED TOO LONG ALREADY.”
A kid carried a plate of lasagna
to the couple
younger woman said, “CAT PUKE.”
older woman, “TAKE IT AWAY”
then removed a bottle of Red Dog beer
from a paper bag
and gulped.
Enzio, Jr. ambled to the couple
and said calmly, “First,
no beverages from outside
Second, I made this.”
“YOU’LL DIE LIKE HIM, ” said the younger woman.
“Who you talking to? ” Enzio Jr. asked.
“I’LL SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, ” said the older woman.
Enzio Sr. opened the door
with a flourish.
“ROT IN HELL—
YOU AND YOUR GRANDMOTHER, ”
said the older woman.
“Remember them faces, ” said Enzio, Jr.
“They looked like mother and daughter, ” I said.
“Most likely, ” he laughed.
“You got a good sense
of humor
after what they said
about your lasagna.”
“You hungry?
a gift.”
The still steaming pasta
before me
I plunged in
and after a single bite
proclaimed
The Best Lasagna in Brooklyn.