Dinner With A Friend

The last day of April brought a pleasant surprise,

Dinner with a friend-

Shakes, burgers and fries

The place is a landmark

A dive, perhaps, to others

But when you're with a friend

It's a five star joint.

A drive-in

In its heyday

Crowded on weekends

Now it competes with golden arches,

Royalty, little girls and toys in boxes-

But still the locals flock and order

The crowds may not be many

But the food is just as good

                                                              Cause it's not the food, nor the drink-

                                                              But the dinner with a friend

The food becomes a background

To pleasant conversation

From politics to who's pitching on the mound;

To use a napkin would be an abomination

An interruption to a mouth watering sensation.

Laughter abounds

In mid discussion

A laughter that relieves tension

Both inner and outward

A friend who listens intently

And does not care if you're right or wrong

Time goes by so fast

When in company of a friend

Time to get nostalgic

Oh- will this ever end?

Can't go back to the past, it's true

Friends come and go

A terrible adieu

And new friends come

You hope they stay

But all the time in the world

Cannot conquer the one I cherish

And that's the time I spend on

Dinner with a friend

OK- enough of the sentimentality.  But, I had a great dinner with a friend and I just got nostalgic thinking of old times.  I miss my friends, the living ones who have moved to other locales and the ones resting in peace.  But it is the blossoming of a new friendship that adds that certain je ne sais quois- the extra spice, flavor, texture to what could otherwise be a lonely dinner.  I thank my friend and look forward to many, many more dinners.  And what about dinner and a "B-movie!"

May I take your order please?