Dunkin’s Drive-Thru

By Lisa Seidenberg

Who doesn’t love the Dunkin’ 24-hour drive-thru?
Admire the crisp hyphen-centric lingo,
the rebranded singularity of the name.
No need to exit your vehicle for a glazed
or a French cruller or a donut hole.

That’s how it works in America.
No time lost, download the app and order.
An obvious appeal to police
or Prime delivery guys
cocooned in a car all day
until it sheathes them like a second skin.

It’s a kind of agoraphobia.
The way people acted during the pandemic,
sequestered for months
ordering eggs or delivery pizza
left on a contactless welcome mat.

Or 50’s housewives mesmerized
by Days of Our Lives, popping
valium or prozac on a cul-de-sac
in the Valley of the Dolls.

Once there were no drive-thrus
Just donuts
Just holes