Just a minute, Charmaine: I see one over there—shit!
That bitch beat me to it! I’ll have to get back to you—
No, I’m in the hardware section; you know, where that
tall guy with the big blue eyes—no, I’m not; He’s wearing
a ring, for godsakes! Charmaine, I’m going to hang up if you—
Hold on, there’s a throw rug that’s be perfect for the den:
and it’s only eighty-five dollars! Just a sec;
there’s a label here somewhere: China. Why? Hell, it’s
pure wool and acrylic, and the colours are perfect for—
Charmaine, I realize Henry works at Weavers, but
it’s only eighty-five—What do you mean, “worked”?
Don’t cry. Honey, what you need is a good cry
on a good shoulder. I’ll see you at Tim’s.
With the money I’m saving here,
lunch is on me.
The voice of the poet
riverwriter reads: