Souvlaki Lines at Antipodes

The aroma finds me on the other side of the street
and I am immediately made aware of my stomach's emptiness.
My mouth salivates and my focus narrows. I need something to eat.
My options are delicious, but they certainly aren't the healthiest.

I get closer and can see that the street is overflowing.
People are laughing and bumping into each other
They talk over the music from the festival speakers blaring.
This chaos is alluring, but I am compelled by another.

My hunger guides me to food stalls to watch a chaos I cannot partake in.
The cooks move and shout as I wait in line motionless and quietly.
I wonder if the next order is mine, or if they are yet to begin.
My hunger deepens, my patience wanes, I sense my growing anxiety.

I should have eaten at the Chinese restaurant as I planned,
and yet every year the temptation returns renewed.
Greek food in the city for Antipodes is an understandable demand,
but the insanity is apparent. It is a romantic idea repeatedly pursued.

When my order is finally ready, I think about the time lost
not for long though, there is so much more to focus on.
The flavours will now accompany my exploration as I exhaust,
the festival's other offerings. Its sounds, people and things to gaze upon

The souvlaki is nice, but probably only half the size
of what I usually would have had, especially for that price.
It tames my hunger, which tames my mind, and to my surprise,
I know that I will to suffer this hunger again. The payoff is too nice.

I am not naïve. This won't be here forever, there's no chance.
Hopefully disappears after I do. Until then I am happy to wait to eat.
I want to enjoy it all at once. The aromas, tastes, music, and dance.
In the heart of a shared city that accepts us on its streets.