Waffle House

Lee Greenwood sings
“I’m proud to be an American,”
Waffle House filled
with patriotism
two months after 9-11
images still way too fresh
the flames
the disbelief
the collapse of what we thought
we knew.
The juke box transports
home and hope this morning
guitar riffs
sizzling bacon
sausage patties and home fries
hot coffee hot grits and hot waffles
everywhere.
The silver-haired cook
who’d seen
a few battles of his own
sings along
waves his steel spatula
punctuates the air
the song
the morning--
dancing like a boxer
after a victorious bout
he raises both arms
throws his head back
and finishes with Lee:
“God bless
the USA!”