Lunchroom Star

The following is my tribute to the lunch lady from the cafeteria in the hospital where I used to work. This work is based on Edgar Allen Poe's "Evening Star" - printed below for your comparison.

LUNCHROOM STAR
by Straight Up And Slightly Dirty

'Twas noontime on Wednesday,
And halfway thro’ lunch;
And you in your hairnet
Stand out from the bunch.
‘Midst the clever, cool beggars,
Of the work-a-day throng,
Lunch Lady Ethel,
Rules all the daylong.
I gawk for a time
On your soufflé of lime;
Too rich- too rich for me-
Then you wielded the ladle,
A heavenly cradle,
For soup of Asparagus Pea.
Oh doler of food,
In your querulous mood,
How lonely this lunchroom would be;
Without crumbs from your hand
Fried, curried or canned
All served with cantankerous grace.
Your liver and onions,
Creamed corn, and bunions
Endear me to you and this place.

-THE END-



EVENING STAR
by Edgar Allan Poe

'Twas noontide of summer,
And mid-time of night;
And stars, in their orbits,
Shone pale, thro' the light
Of the brighter, cold moon,
'Mid planets her slaves,
Herself in the Heavens,
Her beam on the waves.
I gazed awhile
On her cold smile;
Too cold- too cold for me-
There pass'd, as a shroud,
A fleecy cloud,
And I turned away to thee,
Proud Evening Star,
In thy glory afar,
And dearer thy beam shall be;
For joy to my heart
Is the proud part
Thou bearest in Heaven at night,
And more I admire
Thy distant fire,
Than that colder, lowly light.

-THE END-