cut backs at the A&P

the grocery store
has cut back on employees.
so you bag
and ring up your own
things.
you bring a bag too,
so as not to be charged
for a new bag.
in the back of the store,
there are cows
and plastic jugs
that await you.
stools with which
to sit on as you tug
and pull for your gallon
of milk. then you
gather the eggs from
the chickens
who roll them out on
their own terms.
the pigs in their
trough run in circles
as you hold
the butcher's knife
for bacon and chops.
the fish are in a tank,
and you use the net to
capture the one you want,
tie him to a string
until the air seizes
his lungs and quiets him.
you are a member of
the store, so you do
get a discount on gas
mileage at the station
around the corner.
the music is pleasing,
as it seeps out of
the speakers imbedded
in the high ceiling.
it takes a minute to
hear what song it is.
the days of wine
and roses, sung by
andy Williams. how nice.
you stay for the entire
melody before carrying
your bags to the car.