Winter in the Checkout Lane

Contributor: Donal Mahoney

- -
Old lady on a park bench
hunkered down
babushka and shawl
snow and wind
dancing everywhere
as she waves her cane
and says young man
you and I are in
the same checkout lane
our carts are heaped
with many good things
we can't take with us
I'm ahead of you
and can see a sign
on the register
that says "no cash,
no credit accepted
but everyone pays.
Have a nice day."


- - -
Donal Mahoney lives in St. Louis, Missouri.