Diner Tanka:

One man is talking
Voice droning through the gray day.
What is he saying?
The other man is quiet;
Maybe he's fallen asleep.

Now there is silence;
Quiet man walks to counter;
He won't pay the bill.
Price of listening is cheap:
Free breakfast, coffee and bun.

Poor old men come here;
The breakfast is good and cheap.
Oh, I'm one of them.
I don't recognize myself
When I see other old men.

Steel milk dispenser
Wears bright American flag:
Pasted stars and stripes
Nobody's saluting it;
Nobody's at attention.

Passing By:

Soft sepia rays
Touch curtains in the old house.
Light from yesteryear.