August 27, 2024

you’re doing a good job

because of the way you asked the server for a small dish of hot sauce,
like you could take it or leave it on account of the brunch crowd, like
you were completely at ease with your plain scrambled eggs. And also
because you made sure all of towels were dry before you 
folded them, and because you refilled the ice tray even though
there were still four cubes left. You’re doing a good job because 
you didn’t get mad at the driver that cut you off, but rather slowed
down, made space in the lane, pointed your attention to the lyrics
of an old radio favorite, sang along in your brightest register, imagined 
the crowd cheering to the beautiful sound your voice was making.