Tuesday, December 10, 2019

the grocery clerk

we make eye contact,

the grocery clerk and me.
yes. i found what i was looking for,

i answer
when he asks me this ridiculous
question, which i suppose

he's obligated to do.
he's not old enough to sell me wine,

so he pushes the button
to bring the manager over.

no one asks me for my id.
not a surprise.

but we make eye contact, this
kid and me,

this fresh face kid probably
with a high school degree.

his blue smock on. his hair
pulled back. he's been on

the job for an hour maybe,
but

an hour to an eighteen year
old is like three days
to you or me.

i'm screwed he thinks, i can
see that in his eyes,
and he sees what i can see.

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