a book of stamps

i ask the clerk

at the grocery store for a book

of stamps.

he stares at me

and rubs his peach fuzz,

then says, what?

what's that?

a book.

this is a grocery store

not a library

or Barnes and Noble.

no, no, i say.

it's for

putting onto an envelope

or a letter,

to mail out.

little sticky square

things

to lick or are self adhesive

to push onto the right

corner

of something you're mailing.

let me get my manager,

he says, shaking

his head

and pushing the button

to make his sign

light up and flash.

you old people, he says

under his breath,

then stares at his phone

while we wait.