Blackbird Baking Company

painting of blackbird glaring
at bright green wall
red-tip wing, open-mouthed
squawking
at the techno playing here

the little bakery
named Blackbird
has a happy hour before closing
I buy a tiny cheese and potato pie
for half price, not realizing
how rich it will be

an orange print poster
#104 of a set of 150
from a 2008 indie-rock concert
crows flocking
onto white shadow branches
eerie and comforting

the young women
behind the counter
talk about dates they've had
dates they'd like to have
and jobs other than the one
they have

I am stuffed and think
I have a stomach-ache
I start thinking
about where I'd like to go
for dinner