The waitress fills everyone’s cups,

some held aloft, little white begging bowls. 

She pours with benevolence. I don’t drink coffee

but she fills the thick mug by my plate,

slaps the little stainless steel pitcher of milk

in front of me, says Hon, what can I get you?

I order eggs to please her and it works.

What kind of toast? (I don’t want toast.)

I say wheat, I don’t like to eat in the morning, 

I drink tea at home but her stern countenance 

is so reassuring I come back

every week, wait for a spot

at the chancel table, for my turn,

for my cup to be noticed and filled.

                                                    -Michele Bombardier, from What We Do (2018)

ABOUT MICHELE BOMBARDIER Poet and speech-language pathologist Michele Bombardier considers herself both artist and mechanic with language and communication as her medium. She has worked as a SLP for over 35 years and is passionate about facilitating connection through language. Her book of poetry What We Do (Aldrich Press, 2018) has been met with great acclaim and her poetry and book reviews can be found in numerous literary journals. Michele is also the founder of Fishplatepoetry, a social purpose organization that offers workshops and retreats for writers while raising funds for humanitarian relief. Michele has a small clinic on Bainbridge Island where she works as an SLP with all ages and has an impressive collection of vintage Matchbox trucks. She lives with her family under giant fir and cedar trees.