The ways of God
may be more like those
of the waitress
who has worked there for 37 years,
since she was 17
than those of the 30 year-old cook.
Both heal in comfort food,
apparently the same food viewed from up top
But, the waitress knows the customers
better than the cook does.
He feeds the body
she feeds the soul
The cook prepares what people “order”,
the waitress hears their strained laughter, silence, fights,
tears, rage, longing hungers and joys…
The waitress has a view as to WHY
they order, and eat or not,
what they order.
The cook is limited to the ingredients on had
The waitress KNOWS that it is impossible
to fulfill all that is needed, wanted, longed for.
So, as she places the plates on top of the table
at some other level we cannot see,
in order to acknowledge and honor,
to give full credit for
all of that joy, rage, longing, hope, fear, love…
in some way that we do not know,
she waitress inserts herself in-between the people and food
to listen, hear, hold, look, cry, rejoice with, embrace
to be present to those who
are hungry for life.
I love the waitress who as she serves, is fully present, honoring, loving–very touching.
Love this poem… Having worked as a waitress when I was 18 and when I was in my 40s, I know those women, and revere their so often overlooked work. I love the vision of God among us as a waitress at a two-bit restaurant…
Love this poem… Having worked as a waitress when I was 18 and when I was in my 40s, I know those women, and revere their so often overlooked work. I love the vision of God among us as a waitress at a two-bit restaurant…