Nanu is driving the Poetry Bus today! The challange is to write a poem in a place that is outside of where we normally are inspired to write. The comments thus far are bravely upbeat, and I can picture poets climbing to the top of crows nests and hanging off of sky scrapers and slogging through swamps to find this week's muse.
I know that the object is to write a new poem - not drag out something already written. However:
1) try as I may, I have not been inspired to write another poem on any subject since our children's book challenge.
And, 2) most of my poems are inspired and written in odd places. I have rarely written a poem while sitting at my desk.
So, uninspired again, I look for a seat on the bus anyway as I present this poem - previously written in a place where the poetry muse would not be expected to hang out under any circumstances:
Life in the Fast Lane
I've been standing here for hours now
with milk and whole wheat bread
as I glance again quite dolefully
at the sign above my head
The clearly written words imply
I should not be in distress
LIMIT TWENTY ITEMS PLEASE
CASH ONLY- FAST-EXPRESS
And yet I stand impatiently
in a glazed eyed cob webbed funk
while Black-Tee-Shirt in front of me
paws through impulse-buyer's junk
Straw-Purse-Lady moves in queue
and empties out her cart
the rest of us -with moving lips-
count from eggs to key lime tart
She's unaware of piercing glares
as we count to twenty-five
oh where's my tar and feather kit!
Let's string her up alive!
Then Black-Tee-Shirt -with impulse buys
sets down his case of beer
we all decide he drinks too much
his wife should leave him here
Diamond-Rings gets set to move
lines up her wine and brie
smoked oyster dip and cheese puff shells
that's food for thought for me
A smokin' date most likely sits
or paces by her door
while she's caught in the fast lane
stuck here for evermore
A checkbook flashes in the hand
of Baseball-Cap-Askew
All heads turn 'round and stare at him
CASH ONLY sir means YOU
We move at snail-like slowness
'til I finally forge ahead
and set my meager purchase down
tepid milk and stale wheat bread
Just then the check-out light blinks OFF
I can only stand and gape
"One moment please" says Misty Sue
I have to change the tape
Cynthia Conciatu
Check out the other poetry bus riders here!
8 comments:
I love it. I think you and I have stood in the same line...
The express lane is 20?? They keep it to 10 around here, thank goodness. And people generally understand that cash only means the cashier is literally unable to take anything else and will have to send you away if you have no cash. So the lane is only just about as slow as any other lane.
Great ticket!
Lots of fun (unless you're actually living it) and the last line is just so perfect!
Kat
Beautiful rhythm, perfect rhyming and yes, don't we all count other people's purchases in the fast queue? Loved it!
mmm key lime
(key line!)
Thanks
I think we've all been stuck in a queue like this one at some point. Full marks for humour under stress!
I enjoyed this a lot! I am definitely a counter of items. And a huffer & a puffer - people know when I'm impatient!
Absolutely, I can empathize with you on this... which is why I use the 'check yourself out' line now, makes life a lot easier. Thanks!
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