75 Word Poem

Salade du Jour

Maris inhaled. She stood in line to order her lunch at the new cafe across from her office, rumored to have an excellent salade nicoise.

For two weeks, Maris had practiced pronouncing the words to avoid feeling foolish when ordering. “Suh-laad nee-swaaz,” she mouthed, repeatedly.

Now it was her turn to order. The cafe host asked, “Would you like to try our salade du jour, the nicoise?”

Maris sank, thinking of her effort.

“Yes, please.”

This was inspired by the very real phenomenon of ordering anxiety. Here’s to all of us who experience it, may we always feel edified in our efforts!