Outside CVS (Erica Herd)

It’s been nine years,
Pharmacy Lady,
and you still don’t
know my name

or my date of birth

I’m in the store
at least three times
a month
I remember your face
why don’t you remember mine?

One time you actually
misspelled and mispronounced
my last name
it’s pretty easy–
one syllable

I wonder if you
treat all your customers
that way

You seem so chatty with others
I can be chatty too

Are you too tired to care?
Your hair seems more disheveled
as of late
Do people yell at you?

I never do

One time you
told me to bring
my non-prescription
purchases
to the front of the store

“Why?” I said,
in horror
“Because it’s so busy,
and I’m working the
drive-through too.”

Sheesh

It’s enough to make me
want to go back to
Duane Reade

But CVS
is one of my favorite stores
the coupons are a godsend

I hope you see
how much you’ve hurt me,
Pharmacy Lady,
and how
easy it would be
to smile
once in a while
and maybe, just maybe
remember me