Hero of The Morning

Down the road, past the highway, a small cafe sits empty but for one person inside.

She wakes every morning before the sun has a chance to shine,

And begins the coffee for the rest of town.

She brews the iced tea,

Fills the salt shakers,

And turns on the broken AC for hopes that today will be the day it pushes the cool air in.

Six AM the sun is up and makes her hair gold in its reflection.

When the first customer comes in, she will put on her red-rimmed glasses and a

Smile that knows your soul.

She will never say a harsh word to you,

(But maybe there will be a joke behind you back with the other waitresses if you aren’t a patron.)

She is a divorced mother of two, supporting them through college on a waitress's salary.

She can be sweet, sarcastic, soft, and surreal.

She is my mother, a hero of the morning.