The Dollar Menu

The Dollar Menu

 

 

 

5th floor

a dumb waiter

serving hamburgers

at a joint

on Sedgewick 

a familiar face from sixty years thence

 

menus for lunch 

at a house near the grade school

young friends 

goodbyes to strangers

5th floor

flying away

 

Santa came in through the fire escape

I waited under the tree

flying away 

in my dreams

on Sedgewick

a dumb waiter

 

the fries limp

from walking five flights

up

I wave to the street

goodbyes to strangers

and a familiar face from sixty years thence

 

my face

my dreams

my cold fries.

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/23/21

Reviews

[Fran Marie]

A lovely trip down memory lane
when times were a tad sweeter
with familiars faces with smiles
even the cold limp fries add
a special warmth to be felt

a sweet write

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Fran,
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Where does the time go J.? Those memories just reach out of the past sometimes and rattle our emotional cages. I'm happy that you are able to transform them into bits of shared poetry for us to enjoy. I enjoyed the read and now I have those soggy fries stuck in my head. (smile)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for sharing the memories, Fabian,
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Thank you for sharing the fries. (smile)

[Chris Shaw]

A trip into the past. Things were simpler then. I bet even those cold fries were more appetising. I'm glad I have lived in better times.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am glad, too.
thank you, Chris...
appreciate your visit.
j.

[Lisasview]

Now this one made me laugh.. because of the last line..
Now at the age of 73 I can certainly relate to this poem and actually all the ones I have read of yours.
Brings back so many memories..but then much of our lives when we get older is about our memories..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Our generation has some good memories, eh Lisa?
Back in the fifties we could never imagine life as it is now.
I liked the simpler times best.
j.

[Lisasview]

I have had a very busy life.. but in 2018 we came for a visit to Benissa, Spain...we stayed a month or so.. I painted in water colors pretty much every day.. Over the years we found places to travel to so I could relax and paint. Wel,l within two week or so we decided we had to move to this area and last year we moved to Benitachell, close to the sea... Once the renovating is completed I will have all the time I need to pursue my love of writing, my art and piano..No pressure here..very different from my life up til now.. Yes the simpler times were best..the problem is we did not know it then...

[andrew mitchell]

You were obviously on the wrong block. The other block had girls on roller skates taking orders for hamburgers. Merry Christmas Jacob and thanks for sharing your marvellous poetry.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, andrew....and Merry Christmas back at ya.
j.

[Gee]

Like Sharon I know not the scene but enjoyed your words. Also gives me chance to wish you a merry Christmas Jacob and hope the new year is good to you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Gee, and to you and yours a merry and a happy...
j.

[Miss Sharon]

I'm not familiar with this scene but I know good poetry when I read it! Thanks for sharing Jacob. ~Sharon

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you dear Sharon....
Happy and Merry to you and yours.
j.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"5th floor
a dumb waiter
serving hamburgers
at a joint
on Sedgewick "
A Bronx Christmas Tale-Yes!! I remember it & I feel it again. Thanks for the memories my friend & I wish Wonderful Holidays for you & yours...Bronxite to Bronxite: it never leaves you!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, I have not been back there for 63 years, but it has never left me.
thank you, Annette,read moreYes, I have not been back there for 63 years, but it has never left me.
thank you, Annette,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, those old memories of dumb waiters, no longer do we have that mystical hamburger and cold fries, but I do remember them as well as the automates….put your nickel in and the food pops out….those were the days…. I still remember….and I remember the fire escapes too… still there by the way in many buildings lower Manhattan ……how else could Santa get in?
Nice nostalgic write J
Merry Eveyrhing!🎄🎄🎄

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for sharing, Betty, and Merry Everything to you too.
j.

[Karmee]

Cold limp fries love that, this is wonderful Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, C.H.J.

j.