the corner grocery store

the grocery store

has become full service now.

in these hard times they've

cut corners. reduced staff.

if you want an egg, go over

to a chicken coop

and squeeze one out of a waiting

chicken.

there's a pool of fish

and a net to use, a board

to cut

and chop, filet, crabs

and lobsters

are in the basement

crawling about in a foot of 

sea water.

there's a 

a cow standing in aisle

six

with a bucket

and a stool.

in the back there

are apple trees,

oranges,

bananas too,

but watch out for monkeys,

they like to bite,

that part of the store 

has become veritable

zoo.

you can grind your own

coffee beans,

select your own pig

or cow. nameless now.

shovel rice into your arms,

or pick

peppers until the sun goes

down.