Author Information
"IHOP 2 AM"
by Jeph Johnson
IHOP, 2 AM
I'm waiting in this booth til dawn
Watching her love her children
By the way she's keeping on...
Pancakes, ham and eggs aren't why I'm drawn
I'm watching her love her children
By the way she's keeping on...
She sweats while they sleep at home with their Grandma
I'm watching her love her children
By the way she's keeping on...
Dishes break, customers keep their tips to a minimum
I'm watching her love her children
By the way she's keeping on...
I really can't believe
She has a smile for me
After a ten-hour shift
Of truckers, slackers
And nacho-chip snackers;
I'm just here to give her a lift...
I'm amazed and astonished that she's still admonished
I wish that the whole world could go
To IHOP, 2 AM and wait in a booth until dawn
And notice her loving her children
By the way she keeps keeping on...
I must admit that I cried when I read this...it took a minute for me to understand this poem, because it is 3 am here and Im still up. I could picture it, you sitting there watching this mother work hard and her child sleeps at home, without her. I know this feeling all too well.I have lived it. Maybe that is why I love this poem so much. I feel for those parents that do it, to keep their familys going. But it is something that has to be done. That fact that you wrote about this is even more awesome, because you must have a gift and an eye. You seem to be filled with compassion. Thanks for writing this. Wendy
You gave every one FOOD FOR THOUGHT with is poem. What a way to look at it. GREAT POEM. Thanks for sharing
Lovely appreciation of the sacrifices that women do make for the family.Congratulations and good wishes. norman.
A wonderful parallel structure here... A beautiful kind of tribute... Very nice.
Exactly what a poem should be. Well done.
Very cool poem here! Hard life for a working mom, I have much respect for them! Good post!
I loved this poem the first time I read it and was completely thrilled to see it make the Top Ten!!!! Well deserved I'd say! Michelle
Jeph, very true,... I respect the way you go beyond the surface to see what lies beneath. :) Thanks for sharing.
Jeph... this was such a great thing to write about... not many of us even think about the men and women that work in places like this... much less write something so wonderful.... you have something that others wish for... thank you for posting this... may be the next time that we are in some eat establishment we will think of this poem... and leave a tip that is worth taking out of our pockets.... I think that we should think about this... how much is it worth to eat some where and not have to cook or clean up the dishs.... Renee'
This is wonderful. It is so nice to know that even one person might be considerate enough to know how hard it is for a single mother to raise children.
Jeph, I really enjoyed this piece~ Very well-written, with a beautifully Poetic view of her working to provide for her children out of love~ Thank you for this beautiful piece, it added much to my day :)
THANKS AGAIN, GREAT INSIGHT AND COMPASSION
This is a beautifully sad piece. I felt blue collar day to day - keep your chin up know what I'm saying? Anyhow, I liked it alot. One question though, Why force rhymes? I mean if its going to music then I understand but otherwise, why? Just curious. and by the way I put a link to your site on my site, and I thank you for doing the same.
you know....Im ashamed to say I have never thought of the graveyard waitresses in that manner......and as I read your poem....I thought ...OMG.....yes, he is right!!! You are incredible. And thankyou for giving me another view here to people. I will certainly think of your poem next time I'm in a coffee house at 2am. Please post more!!!!
I really liked this poem.....the love really that you give to this person for her dedication. Great flow and lines. Thank you for sharing!
The heart of poetry...getting to the guts. You've done it here. There's an edginess that, at first, I felt needed smoothing but I'm not sure now. It matches the glare of early morning at IHOP.
oh! excellent parallel structure! i see that you have a gift which not many have. a gift to see things that gives life a deeper meaning and appreciation. in this poem, althought you're trying to give praise and worth to this woman and mother, i see that you deserve praise yourself. to put the time to notice the hardship of another person's life. keep these observations coming!