Bagel, The Betty Lady Poem by kenneth william snow

Bagel, The Betty Lady

Rating: 4.8


6AM

Saturday morning
brisk, late-fall chill,
litter and leaves skip tragically
across asphalt memories

The empty parking lot sings

—silently
a shopping cart idles
overflowing a bounty
of nourishment fit for con or king
a single sea-gull stalks
musing an air attack
infants wail their song of hunger
and the cattle carcass cries

As I enter the market I push Betty’s rolls and bagels
…through the dark aisle
and park them next to her bagel stand
She will arrive within the hour
some days by 6: 15
always before 7
but usually early for a 9 AM opening
she sells Polish bagels
and other ethnic goodies…

She stops for coffee at our stand
we have it ready by 6: 45
hot and black
smelling and tasting
like every moment of gratitude
humble living grants

Betty is an octogenarian—in poor health
she forgets things and repeats
…repeatedly

everyone says Betty should retire

remove the dignity from life
remove the life
…without dignity

COMMENTS OF THE POEM

Beautiful opening of the poem ushers in sunlight, but the closing of the poem is astoundingly shocking…marvellous

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Jazib Kamalvi 13 August 2017

A nice poetic imagination, Snow. You may like to read my poem, Love and Lust. Thanks

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kenneth william snow

kenneth william snow

The City of Brotherly Love
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