Ode to the Bar Code

At the Canyon Cash 'n Carry
Liquor & Penny Candy store,
between the soda pop chiller
and the other under the register
where cha ching came up 5c 10c 25c
and some dollar types
through a peek-a-boo window
was the best electric shock in town.
This was before we were grounded,
before cable TV, almost before Elvis.

One hand there, the other there
swinging for a second on the two
articles of faith -
cha ching cha ching
ooooooyeah. Felt good. But bad.
Us kids made fine lightning rods.
Myrtle Wood hung the cash up to dry
on a clothes line in the back
like a christmastree garland,
the washed and pee'd on cash
and sometimes, someone's pants.