---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108-page perfect-bound ISSN#/ISBN# issue/paperback book “Moving Forward” cc&d, v329 (the January 2023 issue) Order the 6"x9" paperback book:

Order this writing in the book a Mural of a Forest the cc&d Jan.-April 2023 magazine issues collection book		get the 426 page Jan.-April 2023 cc&d magazine 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Who Cares About the Mailman?

S.F. Wright

At the liquor store,
I looked furtively
Around.

But I was
The only person.

And I couldn’t find
The vodka,
Gin.

I searched
And searched,
Fearing someone
Would walk in—
A current
Or ex-
Student—
When I
Noticed
The spirits
Behind
The counter.

I walked to the end,
Glanced over,
Didn’t see
Gordon’s;
But then the clerk,
A young Indian kid
(not an ex-student)
Came over.

He seemed
Uncertain
When I asked
About
Gordon’s;
And sensing
The possibility
Of his conducting
A thorough
Investigation,
And just wanting
To get my bottle,
I pointed to the
Seagram’s
Dry gin,
Said that
Was fine.

The clerk rang me up,
Asked if I wanted
A bag;
I said sure,
Thinking,
Of course
I needed
A bag;
Alas, the stores
Charge for them now,
Five cents,
The clerk said;
I said fine,
And the clerk,
Whom
I imagined as
A future doctor
Or pharmacist,
Got my bag while
Making a
Noncombative
Remark
About minimizing
The use
Of plastic;
To which
I made an equally
Agreeable remark
Conveying that I
Understood;
And when I swiped
My credit card
Through,
I hoped
That the clerk
Noticed
That my hand
Didn’t shake.

As I left,
I passed the mailman,
Who was
Coming in—
But who cares
About the mailman?

Hat on,
Coat zipped up,
I carried my
Bag containing
My bottle
With two hands,
As if it was a baby;
That five-cent
Plastic bag
Feeling
Flimsy,
Cheap.

Waiting at
The traffic light,
So that I could cross
The avenue,
I tried to think
Of other things.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...