fast food clerk

you repeat
what you want three
or four
times
to the clerk
working
the register
at the fast food
counter.
each time you
say what you want
you say it
clearly
and loudly,
making eye contact
with the glazed
stare
of the young man,
but it
doesn't matter.
the day
is long and cluttered
for the boy
in his apron
and tilted
paper hat. his
mind his elsewhere.
slaying dragons,
making
love to princesses.
dreaming of
better days
to come.