From A Fast Food Line Poem by Bill Grace

The voice over the intercom at the end of the fast food line
Goes into her hi light litany of:
"Would you like to try a … … today? "
The voice melodious, enthusiastic, confident, energetic
I reply with almost no inflection:
"No. Two burgers off the value menu and a glass of water - please."
Her voice drops two octives and repeats the order.
Napoleon at Waterloo.
Youth learning a limit to its powers.