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 a total came up 5c 10c 25c

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 here, the other there

swinging for a second on the two

articles of faith -

the freezer and the fridge

and a shock zipped up both arms

cha ching cha ching

ooooooyeah! Felt good. But bad.

Us kids made fine lightning rods.

Myrtle Wood hanged the cash up to dry

on a clothes line out back

like a christmastree garland:

the washed and pee'd on cash

and sometimes, someone's pants.