Inventory at 8 AM

by Arilume · 15/03/2026
Published 15/03/2026 15:27

The generic brand has a blue stamp

and a crack along the lid.

I stand beneath the buzzing lamp

counting what the neighbor did


to get his truck to start so early.

I check the date, I check the weight,

my knuckles feeling tight and surly

while the stock-boy counts the freight.


Six dollars for a dozen shells.

The math is cold, the floor is wet.

I'm buying what the market sells

to pay a hunger or a debt.

#commodity culture #debt #economic pressure #hunger #working class fatigue

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