The Lexicographer's Rules

The refrigerator is empty, trudge to the market. Bread, milk, cereal, fruit. The lines huge, twisting, unruly. Sunday afternoon. Pick the least long line. Right is a large woman, Trinidad in her voice, light. Not reading magazine in her left hand. One foot on the axle of a shopping cart, empty. "Andre! Andre. Get your scrawny little rear over here." Andre's got three boxes of cereal, drops one every step. "Let's have that one. You take those back. Over there, bring me the syrup and the mix. Aisle 3." Drops cereals into the cart. "Mister. Mister." Talks to me. "Which is the best one? This one, or this?" Holds two coupons, each a different kind of ham. "That." Largest discount. She nods, judgement affirmed. Lines are slow. Two girls lollygagging to the cart, braids swinging. Another exchange. This we'll keep, take that back, no more sweets, where's the bread, Mister, what do you think? Argue the merits of this food or that. Only win with the milk. Opaque cartons protect the vitamins. Line moves forward. She masters the city line: get in it to start, send troops on sorties, fill it before the register. The cart fills. (Source Link)

Coupla weeks ago saw girl hit by car. Heard the screech, turned to see her cartwheeling above the sedan. Legs, arms, coat, hair, bags out. Came down splits on hood of car. Slid forward good distance, too far, in a crump. Still, except left leg twitching. Didn't know what to do, so ran forward. Ran back. Looked for a phone. Everybody looked for a phone. Cross-drew cell phones, called so fast, like a radio contest. Didn't win. Three people said, I know first aid. Squatted next to her. Did nothing. Don't move her. Back away. Give her air. Air? Plenty of air. Plenty of space. Now a crowd. Construction worker from near site, waves orange flag, diverts other cars, yellow animals, wheeled elephants. Emergency men and women come. Fire trucks come. Cops come last. Offending driver on the phone. Dialing, redialing. Who to call? Nobody. Call for business, call for hands moving, call to do anything, something. He is in trouble, nervous, anxious. His fault, probably. Run a light? Don't know. Probably too fast. I called. She's fine. Outside, anyway. (Source Link)

Lasted two days. Now cold, now windy. Coats up front in closets, summer frocks, shirts, rags in back. Now people who sweated around in wool and scarves and gloves 1 September can be comfortable. Calendar is not best way to gage weather. (Source Link)

Celly, had one, but not for dinner, library. Quiet room full of studiers. Should it ring, don't answer and talk. And talk. Gah. Said once, Old man, go screw. Jut mad cause you can't hear the other end, too. Probably. (Source Link)

A mountain and no one to write poetry about it, the mountain does not exist. Chick shows up early when I show up early. She's after what? No interest, always the way, already decided. (Source Link)