Janet at the Megastore
Don’t recall meeting
a human being
at the megastore
staffed by robots
in the flesh
except for Janet
at the register
in her 80s if a day
who wouldn’t retire.
The manager knew better
than to let her go because
customers came to hear
Janet declare what’s on sale
and point to the aisle
where everything was
and have her hand them
coupons at the register
if they forgot to bring them.
Never met a customer
who could remember
when Janet wasn’t
at the register
making people smile.
She trained replacements
to ring things up
but it’s tough to teach
someone texting friends
and chewing gum how
to talk to strangers.
Donal Mahoney
