AT THE RESTAURANT Poem by Hédi Kaddour

The owner-chef makes wild mushroom omelettes,
Flamed desserts and even his own dough
For profiterole puffs.
On the wall are framed newspapers
From before the war where Saint-Exupéry
Tells about Madrid and two-man rifles.
Metal chests and copper bowls are polished
To survive all departures.
The draft manhandles a client
Who has worn the wrong sweater,
As his companion with the careful hands
Watches the Atlantic takeoff
Of a huge hydroplane: the luxury
Version even has bedrooms.