Just One of You

all it takes is one person
who forgets to push enter
because she's too busy shoving another
twinkie
in her goddamn mouth
and suddenly
my license is suspended
because she's some chick
who doesn't know what she's doing
but she's nice
and has big tits
and a nice smile
so they gave her the job
even though she's half awake
a known moron
and doesn't care
or pay attention
so when i say,
"is that it? everything taken care of?"
she nods her head and mutters yes
through her cream covered lips
and suddenly
6 months later
i receive a letter from the DMV
stating that if i don't pay
my $600 fine
i'm done
"that bitch. You're playing with my goddamn life!"
she doesn't care though
it was a mistake
but she'll learn
oh yeah she will
i'll write a goddamn letter a week
for the next 52 weeks
about her mistake
because if you're issuing licenses
at the DMV
then i'm worried about the kind of people driving
out here
if she's in charge
then we're all really fucked
and i'm concerned
not for her
but for all of us
us with children in the car
i can still see her vacant face
staring back at me
through the window

all it takes is one person
who is creeping along
trying to find parking
down Brand Blvd.
at 8pm
the day before Christmas
to back traffic up for 3 blocks
because they don't want to park on a side street
and beyond them
long stretches of open road
thank you kind sir
for being inconsiderate of everyone behind you
not like we have families
or loved ones
to get home to

all it takes is one person
who is half alive
behind the counter at the pharmacy
to hand me the wrong medication
and have me go ape shit

and all it takes is one person
to see me foaming at the mouth with rage
dislike
and cynicism
to reach over and put their hand on my shoulder
and say,
"can i buy you a beer?"
"thank you."