Cafeteria

(Dedicated to my colleagues and friends at P*B/SBC – Deepak Sarkar, www.kolki.com)

Cash registers are officially closed –

They are now totaling day’s transactions

The cri-cridi-crik sound can be heard from a distance -

After serving thousands with hearty breakfast

And multinational customized mouth-watering lunch!

Yes! Lunchtime is over for the day

In this huge yet artistic Pacific Bell main cafeteria

Inside the Campus in San Ramon Valley California!

Upstairs smaller cafeteria is still serving

For the unfortunate ones who missed lunch for meeting -

Or attending outstanding work for the deadlines upcoming

Or to the fortunate ones enjoying rewarding party time!

Men and women downstairs

Are busy cleaning and packaging unsold items!

Loud sound of moving pots, pans and carts

Making noises enough to be heard from a distance!

They are getting ready for tomorrow’s serving

As some skipped their very lunch untimely -

Too early, 9:30 am, in the morning

Now trying to revive lost appetite with early dinner

Before rushing for the evening shift elsewhere!

Swans and Canadian Geeses enjoying surrounding lake

Making wild sounds while taking off or landing in groups for rest!

New parents are guarding their chicks as they graze

While pregnant ones by glass window feeling more private!

An elderly lady ensuring salt and pepper in each table

For tomorrow’s fresh start –

Bade goodnight to me with a very affectionate smile

And some wonder in her eyes

About this very late sole customer

Sitting and writing alone in the huge cafeteria!

Author: Deepak Sarkar, 844 Royal Oak Ave, Victoria, BC V8X 3T2, Canada; Tel/Fax: 250-412-2897;

E-mail: kolki@kolki.com; Poetry & Peace Web Site: www.kolki.com