All the way (chili, onions & mustard) Impressions

Johnny @ Roanoke Weiner Stand

it is not that hot dogs usually bring me to tears,
but today---

it's called progress,a positive turn on the pinch
of the little man, making way for all things
new & shiny

to replace 96 years of history & it's not
that they were ready just deemed old---
needing renovations, it's been 4 months,

the market stalls hold autumn, pumpkins, few fruits
& late vegetables, Christmas crafts & wreaths,
tobogganed heads with pinked cheeks
& winter coats

a crushed cup skitters along the asphalt in the company
of leaves, customers barter vendors, banter, a busker
strums away on six string, battered case at his feet

the window is new, but Johnny, who started, fresh
off the boat as a teen, ain't & rides the grill
looks up when we knock the glass

the line never stops moving, door always opening,
a couple good ole' boys give up a booth for a family
of five, 'here's one for you,' Johnny slips an extra
dog - all the way - on our tray

i ate my first at a young age & today, my sons.
'it's just not the same,' (all clean), one guys says,
'but still tastes great,' he smiles, 'nothing like it'
chili, mustard & onions ~ simple magic

i doubt any of them will visit the new&shiny
that took the wiener stand's original spot
on main street, our 'little' two dollar
gut bomb revolution

the old sign still burns on the wall, no names
needed, everyone talks to each other, Johnny
knows 'em all anyway.

Was great to visit an old staple of the town I grew up in, today. The city put them out of business four months ago to renovate the building they were in. There was question if they would even bring it back, but Friday they reopened just down the street from where they were. My dad used to bring home sacks of hot dogs when I was younger, as a treat. Didn't do any polish on this really, it's just the impressions of my visit.