Power Coat
by Dan Senn
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I was about to pay
when
from behind
she said
"I'm over here."
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I turned to see
a middle aged clerk
and said
without missing a beat
"You sure are."
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She laughed
cocking her head
to one side
repeating to herself
"Yes, I sure am . . . "
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Then
she became quiet
and said
"I'm so short."
And getting shorter everyday.
"Soon I will shrink away."
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She took my money
and gave me change.
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I placed it
in my wallet
and said
"I was once seven feet and black."
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Smack.
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In my power coat
as I left
through the power doors
I saw her reflection.
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She was stretched over the counter.
°
Her hands and fingers
pointing outward.
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Ahhh.
Now she understood.
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She had seen only the coat.
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Stooding there
I knew
that as a boy
my heroes
were all seven feet
and black.
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©1987 Dan Senn