Denny’s on the Corner of Garnett & Mission Blvd.

by Geo. Staley

Early one morning,
several lifetimes ago,
I sat on the seawall in Pacific Beach,
one hand on my shopping cart,
and stared at the empty ocean.

A shirtless runner came up to me,
handed me two twenties, said,
“Have a good one, brother,”
and ran on.

I pocketed the two bills and headed north,
found Lorenzo and Sally,
then Penski, too,
and we enjoyed one fine Christmas breakfast.