We Should've Walked

The half hour traffic jam 
we were lucky enough to join 
two blocks from home
on our four block jaunt
to the supermarket
wasn't as bad as

the shrilly shouting two year-old
at checkout
who grabbed a plastic divider
and swatted at our merchandise
until I lined all ten items single file
at the far end of the conveyor belt,
an inch beyond her grasp.

That's when she started screaming.

Hatred comandeered her face
when I smiled back and touched
the groceries she couldn't reach.

Yet, the real surprise came 
when we arrived home
to unpack the necessities,
followed by a box of twinkies.

The first sweet golden cake --
white cream filled,
neatly wrapped in cellophane,
adorned with two green spots.

Twinkies?  Moldy?
Twinkies never spoil!
It violates the Laws of Physics!
What's the universe coming to?

Scott Speck
09/02/2001