CREATION
Kicking the beer bottles under the driver’s seat,
He fastened his Smile Sandwiches visor, threw his
Apron over his neck, and looked down, the creases
Under his eyes congregating, like the lines painting
The sky that day. Sighing, he gazed at the sun peaking
Through the clouds, blinding him, as he walked towards
A new beginning, sun beating on his back, and tuna,
Turkey and lettuce, awaiting his arrival.
A little pigtailed girl came up to the counter, uncertain.
Can I have a glass of water please? He looked down at her,
Wanting instead to give her the globe in his hand. He nodded,
Scraggly black hair bouncing with the gesture. Walking
Over to the soda machine, he pressed the water panel,
And watched the way it filled up the cup, making his
Hand, no his body, feel full. He handed the cup to the
Girl. Thanks, she smiled taking his gift.
He stood there, gazing at the broom. I should clean up,
He thought, staring at the bread and bacon crumbs
Scattered over the dry ground. He pushed pieces
Of crust to the corners of the counter, watching it
Shift back and forth with the broom, waiting for
It to be uplifted into his dustpan. Then someone asked
For broccoli, peppers, lettuce. Vegetation, he thought.
And as it got later, people continued shuffling in,
Looking at him work his seven hour shift. The sun
Became stronger until the clock’s hands moved
To the right, and through the swinging door he
Could see the moon, watching him, and the stars
Aligning more precisely than the customers in line.
And then the shipments came in, more vegetables,
Meat, sustenance, and he watched as the birds dotted
The sky, flying by him, and he stared at the tuna on his
Butter knife, thinking of how it made him thirsty and
He took a glass of water, but some tuna fell into it.
And finally, after several hours of work, he watched
Customers flocking in the door, and he thought, maybe
They are pleased with the work that I have done. He smiled
At the men and women, coming in with baby boys and girls.
By the seventh hour He finished the work He had been doing.
He sat down, mopped his brow, proud of the sandwiches He had
Created, and left the sandwich shop, deciding to go to church.