Dempsey's Deli

11319 Pinehurst
October 18, 1996

24-7 Seattle desires her
because she's well rounded,
but most importantly,
her heart is golden.

Between rush hours
when the baker isn't looking
she dresses up in party colors or simmering coconut
and dances the tango with the cream-filled eclairs.

Through the glass you could hear
the muffins clap and the croissants sing
as she transforms her tray
into a dance floor worthy of John Travolta.

As she cha-chas she won't worry about lay-offs
as much as small sizing.
As she waltzes she won't worry about out-of-town traffic
as much as competitive biscotti.

She's as common as the guitar,
as necessary as Pike Place Market.
She's Seattle's cosmopolitan, independent pastry
the 50-cent donut.