We have a fat fish
Right now he is wedged under a piece of pretend wood at the bottom of his aquarium
His extremely tiny mouth is opening like a heart valve, again and again and again
In a rhythm making life happen
I’m waiting for him to die
Because he’s not really fat
He’s actually sick (more…)
Her face is like a paper bag. It’s a face you see behind a cash register, mechanically pushing numbers and counting quarters and always reminding you to “have a wonderful day.” Her paper bag face has that standard red writing, something like “Come see us again soon” or “Join our membership rewards program.” Like you see it, and also don’t see it at all. So, I call her Paper Bag.
Anyway, Paper Bag is asked to restock the shampoo and it is a task she knows she will master. She has a plan for the shampoo so that the prettiest ones will be right in the center. She has on her red “I Work Here” vest and brings all the boxes of shampoo over to the shampoo aisle. This will be a masterpiece.
There are customers in the store and even though they don’t see her, they like that she is making her task into something pleasing. They will appreciate that all of the bottles line up.
“Oh, hello, ma’am,” says a customer. “Can you help me find diapers?” She looks up from her boxes. She knows exactly where the diapers are. “I can!” This is gleeful. “How is your day, sir? You’re going to want to head over towards the laundry and pet food. Right over here.” She does a little point with her finger to show him just where to go.
The customer watches her and then he feels better. “Oh, right here! Thank you, ma’am.” She does a little swivel and heads back to the shampoo.
This customer is also forgettable. He is also a paper bag. But in this moment he is not. He is brighter. He is now cheered by this girl in a red vest. He swivels in her direction and thanks her again. “I appreciate it!” he says and now he knows that he will have diapers and this will postpone an argument with his wife.
Paper Bag spends two hours arranging the shampoo. Her manager is slightly stunned at how she has taken on this assignment. Maybe Paper Bag should arrange the makeup tomorrow. Her manager now feels more pride wearing her manager-red vest. Maybe she is a good manager, seeing the potential in her employees.
Paper Bag knows she is doing a good job with the shampoo. She is maybe the best paper bag in the store. Next time when this manager sees her, and the next time a customer comes in looking for diapers, Paper Bag will look different. She will have redefined paper bags.
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