the light is very harsh some people
live 10 hours under that light
everyday. I ask for a lid:

“where’s the lid” “whatcha looking for”
“a lid”

single strand of hair very neatly
plastered across his scalp

his head shines under the bulb.
“all the way in the back by the creamer”

a woman was talking to him when I showed up
he was very thin and she was saggy.
she had a hand on the door handle
talking to him
and I didn’t want to break the spell
so I waited outside until the rain got to me

then I pulled on the handle
and she said sorry
and I said sorry
and the man was very matter of fact:
when I was leaving he said
“be well ok”