There oughta be a law

She was a kind girl
a very kind girl
22, maybe
Leaning behind the counter
watching the drunks
come and go

I stood in front of her
for a moment
tugging and tugging
and tugging
at my glove

and she reached over
and said
'let me get that'
and yanked my glove off

and I said
you're a very kind person
and burst into tears

And she said
What's wrong
and I said
There oughta be a law
that says
that when you're sick
you shouldn't have to be the one
to go get your own medication
at two in the morning
on cold windy Chicago sidewalks
There oughta be a law
You should have a parent
or a lover
or a roommate
or a...something
out buying your medication
and bringing you tea
and listening to you moan
as you roll around
in your bed
and if such a guardian is not available
the court will appoint one for you
There oughta be a law
I tell ya
and I just shook my head
and started crying again

The woman said
What do you need
and I said
Alleve, please
and the woman
took a box of eight tablets
and placed them in my hand
and said
Now get outta here, you look like shit
and I said
How much
and she said
Get outta here, you look like shit
and smiled
and turned
to help
the parade of drunks
in the corner.

She was a kind girl
A very kind girl
22, maybe.

Copyright 1998, Jason Pettus. All rights reserved.