Ode to 7-11

“Hello, Lady, Long Time No See You!”

I’m in here every day
just not when you’re working
but I must admit
I enjoy our 3 a.m.
discussions in broken English,
mine shattered through exhaustion,
yours still incomplete
after your long journey.

I came for my Obama cup
for the 7-Election
Your brilliant marketing ploy
to get out the vote.

I came for Spaghetti-O’s
I came for Fruit Cocktail,
Muscle Milk,
Stouffer’s frozen Mac ‘n Cheese
and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

But most of all I came
for your coffee,
your Dark Mountain Roast,
your high-test,
keep me awake
elixir that tastes like
percolated
mediocrity.

Where’s my Obama cup?

I want it to be
worth something
someday.