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Continental Breakfast
by Glenn CurrierI soak in the morning tree
and the gray shed of my soul
barely hanging on against gravity.
I feel the sticky residue
of the hotel's free muffin
and last night's argument.
The T.V. blinks "heightened security,"
and just in from the trail of tears
the breakfast lady sweeps fallen corn flakes,
the sadness of minimum wages on her face
her baby's early morning cries
echo in the squeak of her tired tennies
on the tile floor.
The glass door reflects
a red pickup and a semi
wizzing by behind me
with the speed of raindrops
falling like the days of my age.
I chew the orange of gratitude
juicy and fecund
with the redemption
of one more eternal moment.
12/25/2003 Author's Note: On the road to Arkansas from Dallas, we stopped at a Holiday Inn Express in Mcalister, Oklahoma, and as I sat in the breakfast room area looking out the back door at a rural scene, this poem came to me. I think I will make a new folder for "Road Poems."
Posted on 12/26/2003
Copyright © 2025 Glenn Currier
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 12/29/03 at 03:03 AM excellent road poem, Glenn... you capture the essence of reality and the sadness that often comes with that realization... profound work here... blessings :) |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 12/30/03 at 12:14 PM oh, how the observational juices flow from that quill of yours Glenn, and are as vivid in the sipping glass and as fullfilling as that great big compassioned heart of yours. |
| Posted by Max Bouillet on 12/30/03 at 06:02 PM I stay in hotels a lot and you really seem to capture a feeling I get sometimes quite well in this verse. excellent work. |
| Posted by David R Spellman on 01/07/04 at 03:08 PM This imparts such a deep sense of the oft oppressiveness and drudgery of the daily grind, whether on the road or not. Some excellent phrasings used in this made me envious (and proud of you!). Superb! |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 09/30/09 at 10:48 PM Terrific road poem too, Glenn! Much enjoyed the clandestine observations, and the obvious tension! Thanks. |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 10/01/09 at 03:48 AM Excellent road poem Glenn...CharMin |
| Posted by Tony Whitaker on 10/01/09 at 02:44 PM Sounds like a typical day on the road for me when I was a "Road warrior" traveling almost every week for 13 years! Nickelback woulda been proud of this "Photograph"! |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 10/01/09 at 03:43 PM I enjoyed the philosophical meal-taking on this stop over very much. Thank you, Glenn. |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 10/06/09 at 02:55 PM ...whatever Garth said, i echo [he's smart]...you're Joe David-less and he's missing a wonderful pome by yo' travelllllin' arse...quite a ususal day punctuated by your notice, i love you garth-ness of "sadness of minumum wage..." heavy-hearted perspective...mmmmgreat! |
| Posted by Jean Mollett on 10/10/09 at 03:52 AM Hi Glenn,
Great write. Road poems, good idea. You never know what all ya see, while traveling on the road. It does inspire ya. :) |
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