Menus written by elders
Recipes proofed by tears
Steam lifted past decades
Salt told the truth
Waiters carried gentleness
Trays steadied by stories
Plates arrived warm with origin
Cutlery bowed to history
Strangers tasted each other’s winters
Heat returned as kinship
Bread repaired small cracks
Wine forgave forgotten names
Checks came with forgiveness
Tips left as promises
Tables reset without haste
Tomorrow already seated