Paper Sack

SHE SAW ME STARING THROUGH THE RACK
AT THE TATTOO ON THE NECK OF HER BACK

A CROSS
A BIRD
A HEART
IN BLACK
SHOULD I CHOOSE THE PAPER SACK?

HER SCANNER’S AIMING AT MY HEART
SHE PEERS DEEP INTO MY EMPTY CART

A PACK
OF MINTS
A CAN OF BEER
HER EMPTY EYES DETECT MY FEAR

SHE ASKS ME “PAPER OR PLASTIC?”
I SAY “PAPER” AS I PANIC

I TRY
TO HELP
HER STUFF
THE SACK
SHE WANTS MY PIN NUMBER
I WANT CASH BACK

NERVOUS STANDING
IN A LINE
I’M JUDGED BY THE ITEMS
THAT I’M BUYING

WHY DID I CHOSE THE PAPER SACK?
WHY’D I ASK FOR SO MUCH CASH BACK?