Books and Covers
Heading in the deli
I look for what I want
I head to the counter
The man behind the counter
Ethiopian
Covered in scars
Had a false happiness to him.
“One Beef Patty Special”
“You got it boss.”
Boss?
I am no boss
I am a college student
I am controlled by everything.
Just as that thought passes my mind
Two of my friends spill into the deli like paint in a car
One humps the ATM
While the other sings slow jams
They high five me
We have an established relationship
It’s kind of like getting support from George W. Bush
I don’t want it.
Once they get their ATM money,
Dutch wrap,
And stolen lighters
They leave.
The man behind the counter begins to speak
“Nobody is like me here.
Some people think that’s a bad thing
But I thank god every day for what I have now.
Today I own a business
2 years ago I was imprisoned in Ethiopia without food or water.
Ain’t that just how it goes.
So smoke your weed
Blow your pills
Whatever you get off on,
Relish every moment.”
Just then I hear a voice from the back
“Beef Patty Special!”
The man behind the counter senses my relief
With a perturbed grin
He hands me my food
“Eat Up.”
I sang a slow jam on the short walk home.
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