Wednesday’s Menu

means a FREE hot lunch
at the church, weekly volunteers
anxious to do
their bit for Jesus,
bless the lot of them

in the corridor a culture
of hunger awaits,
tummies grumbling.

--What’s on tap? someone asks.
--Soup ‘n sandwiches las’
week, a voice intones.
--Prob’ly leftovers, another jokes.

Chairs fill up, there’s Hank
and Dolores
without a flash of cash,
still bumming smokes, wary
of those who hog
the best bench on Prince Street

today’s barbecued chicken
finally confirmed
and conversation replaced by the
thrust of forks and knives.

© Richard L. Provencher