Hot Cereal on a Cold Day

World War Two is over,

But its devastation lingers behind in Europe.

Miles away in New York,

A recent European immigrant

Enters an automat

Seeking shelter from Winter’s cold.

She orders hot oatmeal.

A waitress asks, “Cream?”

The young immigrant does not answer.

“Do you want cream on that?”

The waitress tries again.

The other young woman nods.

Then her eyes open wide

As the waitress pours a full ladle

Of fresh cream onto her cereal.

Turning to find a seat,

She is surprised again.

She sees that every table

Has a full bowl of sugar on offer

As well as salt and pepper.

Yet, this is no fancy restaurant,

But a mere eatery for the ordinary.

People like her.

But each may receive a full ladle

Of cream on hot cereal for the asking,

And help themselves to as much

Sugar as they please

Wherever they choose to sit.

It is a dream, the dream she had

So long ago about a place far away,

a country where dreams came true.

This, she thinks, This is America!

#CelebrateImmigrantsDay #AutomatRestaurant