Coffee ring on Formica top
Steam curls up and won't stop
Order pad rests in her grip
Fingers tapping on her hip
She waits in booth four at three
No one comes for eggs and tea
Fluorescent hums through wired glass
Another shift comes round to pass
Ketchup bottle sweats red dew
Salt shaker leans missing screw
She refills the same white cup
Lipstick ring won't scrub right up
She waits in booth four at three
No one comes for eggs and tea
Fluorescent hums through wired glass
Another shift comes round to pass
Trucker hat hangs on the rack
Diesel fumes bleed into black
She don't ask and he don't speak
Just a nod across the week
My lens catches what she hides
Tired eyes and quiet tides
Not the road I'm running from
But the shift that never comes
She waits in booth four at three
No one comes for eggs and tea
Fluorescent hums through wired glass
Another shift comes round to pass
Pie case rotates slow and low
Cherry filling golden glow
She cuts a slice for no one there
Crust stays perfect bright and bare
She waits in booth four at three
No one comes for eggs and tea
Fluorescent hums through wired glass
Another shift comes round to pass
Dawn bleeds gray through wire mesh
Bus engine coughs past wire mesh
I pack film and shoulder bag
Booth four empty napkin tag
Last frame burns magnesium
She waits in booth four at three
No one comes for eggs and tea
Fluorescent hums through wired glass
Another shift comes round to pass
She waits in booth four at three
No one comes for eggs and tea
Fluorescent hums through wired glass
Another shift comes round to pass
Shutter clicks and I am gone
Booth four waits for coming dawn
