Poetry: Bus Stop Logic

Editor’s Note: Mound City Messenger features poetry and short stories by local authors. Submissions can be emailed to editorial@moundcitymessenger.com.

Bus Stop Logic
by Brett Lars Underwood

Another skit(ter brain) idea:
Long, braided dirty-blonde hair
of a diminutive woman
in the self-checkout lines
interactions otherwise
puzzling
to most consumers.
                                                 Or are they tools on a search?
What?
                                                 The tools. The braids.
I know but, what?
 
Exactly! And exchange the “t” for a “y” and you don’t have “but”, but “buy”!
That’s what’s happening, but there it is again: “but”.
 
Even the gadgets seemed puzzled
as all poke at them
in attempts
at escape.
Why are we here? It would be disturbing to do the math.
                                                 Where are you “in there”, Rapunzel,
equally displaced and shrill.
Sensing that no one is gonna climb
Any
                                                    time
                      sooon.
 
I’d like to chop up some vegetables and add them to your ramen,
But, uh, hey,
                                                 even I don’t have any cash…
AND I AM NOT EVEN IN THIS SUPERMARKET. 
          I read about you in a ‘zine.
AND REMEMBER?
Pine Tree State Mind Control talking about the first words you see upon entering?::::
PRODUCE!
C’mon, ROOKIE! Get at it!

                                                 I gotta get the fuck outta here.
CUT!!!

Brett Lars Underwood is a St. Louis poet and promoter. His third book, GATEWAY TO MUSH will be published on Spartan Press soon. 

Want to hear conversations with St. Louis Poets? Seek out Underwood’s podcast, “HIGH ABOVE GRAND” on Spotify. Purchase his books locally at Dunaway Books, Subterranean Books, and Spine Indie Bookstore & Café (@spinebookstorecafe) • Instagram photos and videos

Contact Underwood: brettlarsunderwood@gmail.com,

Brett Underwood (@brettlarsunderwood) • Instagram photos and videos