Eternity

Here we are all trapped in single file
stuck in line at the grocery aisle
behind a lady in tattered nylons
perpetually searching for coupons.

Now she is causing us even more stress
arguing the price should be ten cents less
though that amount should be no cause of grief
she treats the cashier like some kind of thief.

Hopes of finding other lines are broken
as no other registers are open
my temperament begins to roil
as my groceries begin to spoil.

At last she gives up and gets out her purse
but then the problem becomes even worse
bypassing her cash to get out a card
inputting her pin code seems much too hard.

Just before we move to angry action
she finally completes her transaction
but then our new hopes are once again snagged
when she nags about how her food is bagged.

Her departure now ends our ordeal
the next guy puts his food through with zeal.
Oh, come on now, what the heck!
He is paying with a cheque!