My Apron Is a Shield

My apron is a shield
Deflecting the slosh of lava from the dish pit
Invincible to smears of aioli and au jus
Bombed by bad tips!
Dodging sniper customers!
Complaints whiz past!
Barrel through the land mines of forgotten drinks and sides!
Escape the siege of flirtations cooks!
Managers throwing menu quiz questions like barbed arrows!

And this steak is too rare!
And where’s that lemon I asked for?
And we need more crackers, ten minutes ago!
And is there tarragon in the sauce?

My apron is a shield.