Ode to DC Swipes
Two years ago
$2.50 swipes
were granted with each plan
the second-year
at Kemper said
“enjoy it while you can”
I should have swiped him in back then
but I was on the 90
still I can’t quite
comprehend
that even that’s behind me
I walk among the first-years when
I pass familiar halls
exiled from the late buffets
and nights of RA calls
they may say
that I should buy
a third-year plan right now
but with the price
and college fees
I really don’t see how
I remember, I remember
move-in day last fall
the freshmen whom we greeted
didn’t know they held it all
an Aggie card
that opened dorms
and each one had a number
to swipe them in
and swipe us in
before they went
in summer
I remember, I remember
cake behind a glass
one slice when the day was young
and two for after class
the plates were spread
as if a feast
should take place every meal
some went light
and some would beast
to profit from their deal
I remember, I remember
sweet variety
the menus changed
and still we stayed
familiarity
we gathered then
we ate as friends
though some words weren’t spoken
the froyo fell
to cones in hands
until that time it broke down
I remember, I remember
how it felt last week
to learn that I shall dine no more
because of policies
one day
maybe
I’ll go back
return to that first day
and pay the really
stupid price
until then
“Ode to Subway”