The people in the thrift store today
circle, slow-moving but determined sharks,
each one intent on making a score
that justifies some of the days
spent on the factory floor,
in the restaurant, kitchen or at the counter,
or sitting in the lobby of the temp agency,
waiting for the bell to ring
and their reward to drop.
I find two dress shirts
and two pairs of slacks.
No holes, rips, or stains.
I feel like I’m holding
a winning scratch-off ticket.
Fingering some carnival glass,
I take in the whole pageant.
Wondering what happened
to all our expectations.
The poetry and prose of Robert L. Penick have appeared in over 200 different literary journals, including The Hudson Review, North American Review, Plainsongs, and Oxford Magazine. The Art of Mercy: New and Selected Poemsis now available from Hohm Press, and more of his work can be found at theartofmercy.net
Photo taken by jeein