showdown at sunrise

[saw]

'Cept for the neon oasis
up ahead, only blackness
no pedestrians, bikers, stray dogs
just a ragtag assortment
of confused toilers all lined up
in a sugar-coated pit stop

fingers clenched 'round dollars
vapid caffeineless faces, zest-less
zombies in awe of the trophic temple
of tasty treats before them, ruminant
robots contemplating with copious care
the pandemic paradise of pastry

like it was the fucking bar exam.....
puzzled, unsure of themselves
insecure as to which jellied, powdered
glazed gem would impart the most inspiration
the greatest amount of enlightenment
this particular morning

edgy.....over which selections could transform
listless languid cells into purified energy
with the greatest amount of efficiency, and
the freckled girl with the strawberry ponytail
the fudge smock, and the double D's
on her company provided baseball cap

would now preside over the oral segment
of this exam, "Can I help you sir ?"
the clock was ticking, it was my turn
to choose aloud the correct cappuccino
elite espresso or laudable latte, it was
My Time, time for me to step up

in front of my peers, Time
for me to spit out the right answer.