El Bambi

by Larry Jones

A sign above the door says
El Bambi since 1943.

The joint is filled with
ranchers
truckers
and the like.

A horse collar hangs on the wall
next to rusty license plates.

Drop a penny in the slot
get your exact weight
and your fortune told at
El Bambi since 1943.

Pig farmers drink their 3.2 beer
chow down on bacon, eggs, coffee and
the waitress knows your name as
music from the 50s plays.

A relaxed atmosphere
everyone is safe unlike
the cafe on the other side of town,

no one's ever been shot dead at
El Bambi since 1943.