SUPPLY CHAIN > POETRY
I write on the corners
mustard- stained napkins
the air warm with peanut oil
& crinkle cut fries
I’ve memorized it all:
3 minutes for fries
9 for fish filets
4 for chicken nuggets
enough time for
a simple poem
that will be tossed out along
with half-eaten Happy Meals
each hour collecting
money meant to be saved
for a different future
money that instead
goes to keep the electricity on
frying is an art
even though it seems
mechanical
even though someone
could replace me
if I don’t work
quickly enough or
someone spots my
silly poems
someone sees
I’m hoping for more
Erin Jamieson (she/her) holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University. Her writing has been published in over eighty literary magazines, including a Pushcart Prize nomination. She is the author of a poetry collection (Clothesline – NiftyLit, Feb 2023). Twitter: @erin_simmer