Mr. Sandwich Shop Guitar Man

I see you

      Turn your pages

I hear you

      Sing your songs

But I know

      You are not here with me

You are not here

      Next to the soda kiosk

         Where thirsty patrons

         Bashfully avoid eye contact

         While cupping ice and drink

You are not here

      Across from the counter

         Of energetic salami assemblers

         Who call your name

         At the end of each song

You are not here

      Near the booth

         Where the father asks

         For Puff the Magic Dragon

         Confused when you say you don't know it

Mr. Sandwich Shop Guitar Man

I see you

      On a different stage

      At a different time

Without the air of

      Pickles and potato chips

Without the air of

      Tired moms and milk shakes

Without the air of

      Longing to be singing

      Anywhere but here

      Anywhere but here

But here you are

      Singing to the sandwiches

      Turning pages to find a tune

      Perfect for a ham and swiss

      Perfect for a pickle

      Perfect for Jackie Paper

         And his dad

         And the counter jockeys

         Who call your name

         And bring you back

So your journey

       May begin

          Again

(c) 2010 Norman Dziedzic Jr.