Aisle 8

Aisle 8 

Look—everything was perfectly fine
until the frickin’ DJ of Aisle 8 decides
the bottles of olive oil and vinegar,
stacks of tuna fish and whatever
weren’t put up exactly the way he does
Do you know he calls us Whippersnappers?

He’s always sucking his teeth and complaining
Not that song again!
The store never plays one single song 
he isn’t dying to turn down
That’s why I call him The DJ

You tell him I said “Thanks a lot”
His DJ days are over!
It’s about time he retires 
and buys a sweet place
on Isle 8


-Z

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Aisle 6



Aisle 6 

2 of chicken
3 of tuna
2 of turkey with gravy
3 of a seafood blend

He was collecting 10 cans
of cat food on Aisle 6
There was a coupon he’d clipped
for a good deal—if you buy 10
Carefully, he cradled the cans 
stacked in 2 rows of 5
In my opinion, he should have
grabbed a shopping cart

He tried to hurry
but was halted
by the magnetism 
of toys
She deserves the world
he thought
and then
recalled
what the cashier said
the last time he was in:

Sometimes the best things choose us
6 words he loved
and made so much sense
to him

He paid and then left
with his own reusable bag
Back to the castle 
where a queen lives
and rules Isle 6
-Z






 

 

Aisle 3



Aisle 3

Her arm is long and kissing
and she’s gliding down Aisle 3
Eyes widening—as if she’s meeting
a new friend in every piece

OMG! Did I really just see
a sleeve reach out and halt her?
Seriously, something strange
just happened—before my own eyes
to our beloved shopper

I see blushing
I see satisfaction 
I see spinning
I see blooming

Did a red jacket really choose a lady
in the shithole
where I work
on a Tuesday 
on Isle 3?


Z

 

Rained Out

Today was supposed to be a pool day. I have been determined to make it happen. But, the weather had other plans. I have not been swimming this year, but seem to be waiting for something. What if something never comes? Could I go the whole summer without swimming? I already know this is possible when it comes to going to the beach… don’t get me started. So, when the rain and lightning came this afternoon, I decided to write a little poem and stay inside—instead. Sounded nice and soothing out there, at least. Not giving up yet. I will swim!!



Some other summer

I hear it in your voice
It’s not the sound of 
the rain
that makes you shudder
Plans you wish you hadn’t made
are haunting you, now
They will never be 
in our past 
So, now, you mention weather
But, I know you—and what is true
We might as well start planning
for some other summer 
for me and you

-Z


The Mr. Goodbar

The Mr. Goodbar 

In a mixed bag of chocolates 
I saw him and hoped, from afar
he was not ashamed to be
the Mr. Goodbar

In this home, he has probably
always been chosen last
in a game of grabbing
by a sweet-toothed family

I saw him and I realized
I had no idea who was—
never knew his chocolate;
never tasted his peanuts

After careful consideration, 
I decided he was The Best
The man always standing
whilst the others digest


Z


Z

 

Lost & Found

Lost & Found

Lately, he’s been making a drink
for himself—he calls
Lost & Found

Where in the world is it?

Where did I put that?
Oh my God!
I have been 
searching
for this for weeks.
I missed you so much!

Sipping on his capricious cocktail—
a strong mix of what is coming and leaving
he vows to stop perspiring over  
the ingredients he can always edit

He is trying to be optimistic—
and to believe all the things
are just 
where they should be


Z