Bell Rings
the daily holiday begins at twelve
Desks go quiet. Wrappers crinkle like applause. A lemon-bright clock stains the linoleum.
No. 12
NOON
open
milk carton cream
turn the carton: every side says recess.
Unwrap
wax paper becomes a curtain
Triangle halves separate. Steam escapes. The first bite makes a small flag out of ordinary time.
pickle moon
Trade Table
someone always trades the pickle
Grapes roll in orbit. Cookie eclipses pass hand to hand. Deli numbers flip until the right snack finds its person.
save a seat
THERMOS
Thermos Weather
steam writes the weather report
Forecast: alphabet clouds, soup moons, and a teal front moving slowly across the tray.
chopstick sleeve
Crumb Sunset
the afterglow stays on the table
One folded note, a few punctuation crumbs, and lunch.day printed on a napkin discovered at the end.
save a seat tomorrowlunch.day