Killing Themselves Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Stalled at the fantasy stage
With wishes window shopped
And credit cards near maxed out.
Whims on lay-aways
Have a few more payments left.
With a need that searches for a reason,
Why such an item is desperately wanted!
If it was such a 'steal'...
Why is it taking so long to pay for?
It's too late to change your mind...
You will not get your money back!
It is store policy to dupe you with accompanying BS!
And remember those threats you made,
Of never returning to shop there again?
Taking your business elsewhere?
Well...
It appears as though they have a record of your previous
Statements WITH your apologies attached!

'I am STILL upset!
Regardless of your record keeping!
And I want that known!
AND...
I think it extremely rude of you to suggest
Making payments on a fifty dollar sweater
In increments of two dollars and twenty-five cents per month,
Is ridiculous!
Who's money is it?
And am I NOT the customer?
You people are lucky I keep you in business!
My great grandfather swept these floors! '

And we are arrogant enough to believe...
Our sense of 'who' we are,
Is worthy of combat in battle!
We are arrogant enough to believe,
People the world over are praying to be in our presence?

I think they fight to stay away from us!
Even killing themselves to prove it.