Alternatives

THIS LINE FOR EGGSHELL SOUP--

OTHER LINE FOR CORNCOB PIE

So read the signs,
for what they may be worth.
Which may be everything.

There are rumors of cuisine.
Somewhere off the unmarked side doors
of this corridor, it must be,
if it is anywhere.

Leave the line to explore the doors
and you may find
only broom closets,
or heating-cooling equipment,
or stairways leading to other corridors and lines.

Get in line too late and you miss your eggshell soup.

You are nowhere if you are not in some line.

No peeking at the ends.

 

                                                            --Robert Winter
                                                                1978