Kingdom of Sulfur, 1959:
Woolworth's, Grant's, McCrory's, Murphy's
All in a row.
Lunch counter stench
In pre-air-conditioned summer
With gray smoke
From two lanes of
Disposable, post-War cars.

The woman at the bakery counter
Of "Chicago Dairy and Baking Co."
Tied white twine across the white box
Of "cookies, assorted"
Including two chocolate with sprinkles
As a slow moving ceiling fan
Squeaked fresh cool air across
A case filled with bread, pies, and cakes.

White twine smells of yeast to me yet,
And the ceiling fan sounds
Like cookies with sprinkles.
The skein of twine hung neatly
From the hub of the fan.
McHenry's honey, comb-in,
Filled a shelf across the aisle
On the other side of worn hardwood floors.
 

I flip a 1999 quarter,
Choose my memory:
Main Street's mob
Or the quiet queue around the corner---
Fourth Street, Saturday morning,
"Cookies, always.  One cake or two pies?"
I have chosen:  I remember bakery pies
And rich, waxy comb in my honey.
 

5/2/2000

Index     Saturday Errands