The Shopping Trip by Lori Yamamoto

[Verse 1 - The Entrance] The concrete floor is very cold. The ceiling is very high. I feel small. Like a mouse in a castle made of paper towels. [Verse 2 - The Cart] The cart is too big. It has a mind of its own. It wants to go left. I want to go right. We make a compromise. We go straight. [Verse 3 - The Samples] A lady offers a small cup of something. I do not know what it is. I take it anyway. It is warm. That is enough. [Verse 4 - The Peanut Butter] Giant tubs of peanut butter. Enough for a year. Or five years. I do not know how long peanut butter lasts. Longer than I will, maybe. [Verse 5 - The Coffee] Five-pound bags of coffee. Who drinks this much coffee? Someone with many friends. Or someone who is very afraid of running out. [Verse 6 - The Rotisserie] The rotisserie chickens are spinning slowly. They look like they are dancing. A sad dance. A hot dance. I buy one. I do not know why. [Verse 7 - The Tire Center] The tire center is very bright. I do not understand the tires. They are black and round and still. Like sleeping animals. [Verse 8 - The Checkout] The receipt is very long. It touches the ground. I am now the owner of things I did not know I needed. A ladder. A jar of pickles. A blanket. [Verse 9 - The Parking Lot] The parking lot is dark now. The stars are out. I load the boxes into the trunk. Each one is a small mystery. What did I buy? [Outro] We came for one thing. One small thing. I do not remember what it was. But we have a chicken. And a ladder. And a very long receipt. The cart is empty now. I am not. The car is full. Okay.