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Non-believers
by Jeffrey ParrenThere are the people
who ask many questions,
then there are the ones
who don't believe
the answers provided.
"Do you have draft beer?"
"No, I am sorry,
no draft beer."
"So, no draft beer?"
In my mind
I ask myself
if their secondary
attempt at information
was simply rhetorical
or a reiteration.
(I usually answer,
just to be sure.)
And then the food menu...
"Do you have chicken?"
"No we do not have chicken."
"How can you not
have chicken on the menu?"
"This
is
a Steakhouse."
Or perhaps...
"Where are your oysters from?"
"The are all West Coast,
x, y, and z."
"So, no East Coast?"
...either these people
think I was lying
or I am dumb,
both I don't appreciate
or if they ask again
miraculously
what they want
will appear in my mind
and be suddenly available.
They are the non-believers,
the restaurant atheists
in plain sight. 02/20/2009 Posted on 02/20/2009
Copyright © 2025 Jeffrey Parren
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 02/20/09 at 02:14 PM Then there are the real atheists who start out saying, "I don't believe this damn menu, no draft, no chicken?” Which would you prefer? The one you describe is not an atheist. He just doesn't think quickly enough so he throws in a little question to give himself time to think of what he should order. Good write Jeffrey. |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 02/20/09 at 02:31 PM ...is george an asker or answerer? your delightful words seemed to imply there's an endless supply of nut-cases...this woman that we eat with [circle o' friends] that wears my arse out with her relentless questions...sheeeeesh! |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 02/20/09 at 05:07 PM A lot of really sharp lines in this thing. I especially like the last stanza. |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 02/20/09 at 06:27 PM I am always being accusd of repeating myself; asking the same questions over and over- but never in a restaurant. You bring great insight into your job....and your being. Good write! |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 02/21/09 at 03:27 AM Your conversational manner in this poem is marvelous, and it pulled me in immediately. And the perfect between-the-lines possibilities are... well, rapture! |
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