Car-B-Que

By Charly Ella Peter

here is my ode to cardboard french fries
to safe food runs at 9 pm
when food becomes scarce and the desserts are dry, Burger King will always be there, right
by your side

half an hour before close
you know the employees are already done
still, though, you make your way to the counter
just to ask for “one-

-impossible whopper please, completely plain” you croak
so childish, a plain burger, with ketchup and fries
she looks confused and asks you what soda you want

its dr. pepper of course, what else would it be?
Anything but 23 seems criminal to me
collect your burger and sit outside,
parked in your car you no longer will find
that extra napkin you stashed away,
in case you had a car-b-que the next day

thank god for comfort food, I’ll need you again,
forever and always you will be my best friend