October 31, 2007 by Melanie Alberts.

My push up bra is calling you.
Relax. It has no expectations
other than to capitalize on foibles
you erased from your mind. Clearly
you want them, these over-nourished
children fed by UNICEF nickels and dimes.
Remember the box you carried under
your hobo costume that Hallowe’en?
Thrusting it out like a good neighbor,
loose change they’ll never see again
(amazing how much like money
dad’s empty pistachio shells sound).
I’m not even sure if I want you
after hearing how you bamboozled
them all— half of your dinner wrapped
up in a paper napkin, the absorbent white
turning a healthy green. Mind you, we all had
expectations, but these two pillows love
that kind of chicanery. Press your face
against the fabric; say pretty things
that will feed me forever, things
you don’t mean. Trick or treat.

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October 27, 2007 by Melanie Alberts.

Tonight my husband and I ate at the newly opened Blue Bamboo Restaurant and Bar in Bee Cave, located in the Galleria shopping center at highway 71 and RR 620. I must say I’ve been anticipating eating here for a couple of months as there is a sad lack of Asian restaurants west of Austin. Upon arriving, we were delighted at the wide selection of Vietnamese and Thai dishes. As it was only the second night of operation I realized that there would be some kinks which I was willing to overlook—slow delivery of food was the most notable.

I ordered a pot of jasmine tea ($1.35) which yielded two and a half tea cups (the cup came after I reminded the waitress that I needed one). My husband ordered two appetizers, the first of which arrived at least thirty minutes after our order was taken. The Blue Bamboo Rolls (two for $2.75) were small and arrived on the cool side but his chicken wings (eight for $4.50) arrived plump, freshly steaming and were served with a tangy sweet and sour sauce.

My Pad Thai with Shrimp ($7.75) was well seasoned with a healthy side of sprouts. I counted eight juicy shrimp and the portion was very generous. While we were finishing we noted a bit of a scene as a waitress attempted delivery to an empty four top nearby. The water glasses were half full but there was no one there. It took a few trips outside to scan the parking lot to make it dawn on the wait staff that they lost some customers, very likely to achingly slow service (the open kitchen was constantly bustling but with only two cooks). I hoped that our waitress would offer a free refill on the pot of tea I was nursing when she told us that our order would be out “in a few minutes” (ten minutes to be exact).

I will give it a while before returning in hopes that Blue Bamboo will get its groove. With dishes like “Spicy Landlord” and “Squid Daddy” waiting to be sampled I’m sure it won’t be too long.

Blue Bamboo Vietnamese and Thai Cuisines, 12918 Shop Parkway, Suite 300, Galleria Shopping Center in Bee Cave. (512) 263-8889. www.bluebamboo71.com

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October 26, 2007 by Melanie Alberts.

I imagine myself
trapped by my nemesis
torturous percussion
beating my brain as she taunts:
“you’re doing great, hang in there…”

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October 20, 2007 by Melanie Alberts.

almost every morning
a new symptom of something
I cannot explain–
brash yellow wildflowers
draw into themselves

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