Full by Jay Halsey

Photo by Jay Halsey

​the internet was down all morning. 

frustrated from hours trying to fix it myself, i walked to the tavern down the street for late breakfast and early whiskey. 

it's the only place for a decent meal on the north side. it’s a little pricey. i know the manager well enough for chats about food, alcohol, politics, whatever. he seems like a nice guy. he seems like a bar manager. i found a stool at the bar, near the front. he brought my drink and took my order. outside, the sun toiled through slow clouds as

a man 
and woman walked in 
with packs 
and blankets 
and heavy coats. 
his face like busted sidewalks. 
hers ashy and grey from winter. 
they were dirty. everything they carried was dirty. everything they carried smelled like labor. 

i can place faces on most street people around there, but not those two; they were from a different place; from a different misery. 
the man told the manager they had 17 dollars. what could they get for 10?

the manager ignored the man’s admission. 

he sat them in a booth. he gave them menus. he told them to order what they want. he told them he would work it out. he spoke to them as he spoke to everyone: his approach remained unchanged. he brought them coffee. he brought them juice between other customers. he finally brought them hot food.      he asked if everything looked okay. 

the woman stared ahead. eyes heavy. speech heavy. she said, “this looks almost too good to eat." the man’s eyes erupted. his voice like dry leaves. his “thank you” faded into thin coughs.

a lump formed in my throat. i swallowed it with my drink and stood. i exited. i walked away from there, 
my wallet 22 dollars smaller. 

i walked away from there… 
…much smaller.

some days, 
you just feel that way. 

from Barely Half in an Awkward Line by Jay Halsey published by Really Serious Literature 

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​Jay Halsey’s poems and prose have been nominated for Pushcart and Best of the Net. His photography has been used as cover art for poetry collections and novels, and was part of a touring exhibit featured at libraries and bookstores throughout France to represent Editions Gallmeister’s American authors. His photography and multi-form prose and poetry collection, Barely Half in an Awkward Line, was published by Really Serious Literature in October of 2022 and is available anywhere that sells books.​