two more bagels

two more bagels

I think it was the end
of the first week
when I stopped at the

corner of Madison
and East 35th Street
to get a bagel

cinnamon raisin
on way to my new job
almost six years ago

not long after, the man
in the stainless steel
cart learned my order

when I walked up he
would catch my eye and
hand me my breakfast

I learned his name: César
and he learned mine
I felt like I belonged

my office is a block
away a place I will visit
just two more times

because I don’t
belong there anymore
or so they say

I have two more bagels
to order two more
mornings to share

before I walk away
I thought there would be
more days more bagels

Peace,
Milton