Michael Mark, 7/28/2014

Current Occupation: Instigator, Hospice Volunteer, long distance walker, short distance meditator.
Former Occupation: Advertising
Contact Information: Michael Mark writes to break things so he can look in and be further mystified. He is the author of two books of fiction, Toba and At the Hands of a Thief (Atheneum). His poetry has appeared and is scheduled to appear in The New York Times, UPAYA, Awakening Consciousness Magazine, Sleet, Empty Mirror, OutsideIn Magazine, Elephant Journal, Everyday Poets, Forge Journal, Angle Journal, The 2014 San Diego Poetry Annual, The Wayfarer, as well as other nice places. He thanks you for looking at his profile, though this isn’t him. Follow Michael @michaelgrow in case he gets lost.

 

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The Code of the Greeter

 

I applied to be a greeter at the Wal-Mart.

 

My smile will make customers smile.

 

Coming in from the July steam, they’ll be cooled

by my wave and ice cream smooth hello –

Hey, didja know we have popsicles here, we sure do!

 

From the harsh cold that is the world these days,

they will be warmed by my sincerity.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for,  just ask

one of our helpers in red – we’re all friends here.

 

And when they walk in with their hands

in their pockets, worried

they won’t have enough to pay

for the nice shirt or the mug

for their mom

that says, You’re The Best!,

 

I will know.

 

I have had my own card rejected –

everyone behind me shaking their heads.

I’ve been made to feel small.  

 

But they won’t ever know my sad story.

I’m the happy greeter –

 

they will always be accepted by me!

Guaranteed!

 

And if they ever see me outside of the store, I’ll just

wave and keep moving.

 

There’s a code among greeters  – keep it in front of the store.