Safe Way

A poem about the joys of working as a checker.

Safe Way

I put on my tie

and sigh

then smile

hide behind an apron

and make polite conversation

How are you?

I’m good!

and you?

I’m good!

That’s good.

We’re good.

And should I say well instead?

The English teacher locked inside my head

debates the ethics of improper usage

versus the role of social registers

while my body moves in meditative rhythm

grab, pull, scan,

beep.

grab, pull, scan,

beep.

my hands move quick

but my mind’s asleep

I

grab, pull, scan,

beep.

grab, pull, scan,

beep.

together we make the sounds

of a life support machine.

I need a manager’s override

on checkstand 3

and a price check

on what my decisions have cost me.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Very clever poem. Insightful and self-analytical. Some life choices imprison us, or merely put us to sleep- or on "life support". Excellent!

[Derek Thiem]

Glad you enjoyed and related to it somehow. Always good when a reader can connect to something you wrote. That's why we do it, right?

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Absolutely right! Love your work.