Pretzel Rods

The corner candy store displayed, On the counter next to where you paid, Tall pretzel rods, two cents a pop, In a glass container with a top. They were often added to a bill – Toss some pretzels in, please, if you will – Or were ordered by a kid who’d planned, His pennies clutched in a sweaty hand. But the best was sitting on a stool, On a Saturday or after school, With your mom who’d let you have a treat – A vanilla malted, cold and sweet. It was served within the silver cup Which the owner’d used to mix it up With a pretzel rod included, free; There was no place I would rather be. The sweet of sugar, tang of salt Combined with the vanilla malt Made taste buds squeal with pure delight With each and every sip and bite.