'A Visit to Charlie's Diner' by Donal Mahoney

​A Visit to Charlie’s Diner
 
A corner sentinel for 40 years,
Charlie’s Diner is the only
landmark in a neighborhood
of blue-collar people
who love their burgers thick
and juicy along with fries
and a giant pickle.
 
Nina has managed Charlie's
for 30 years and says
customers never complain.
Prices go up when costs go up
and customers understand but
they like to moan because it's
the fashionable thing to do.
 
I ask Nina about Charlie,
for whom the diner is named.
She says she never met him
but folks still come in and say
Charlie said to feed them
and to put it on the cuff.
They’ll pay the bill later.
 
She laughs and tells them
Charlie hasn’t told her that yet.
And it’s no wonder, Nina says.
Charlie died 40 years ago,
the week the diner opened.
He was a quiet mynah bird,
never said a word.
 
 
Donal Mahoney