On Line

I got to the airport six hours early

I do this so I can read

Because I hate people

And because it’s nice and quiet

I never get to drink a quiet beer

Except when I’m at the airport

And I love that once in a while

I get through the automated line

And it’s time to check the bags

There’s a lady working with another guy

It takes her about fifteen minutes

This agitates the people behind me

Because I’m next in line

And they’re not

But I don’t give a shit

Because I am patient

And I realize catching a plane is not

Getting a burger

She waves the man on

And the middle aged white woman behind me

Cuts right in front of me

As only middle aged white women can

As if I weren’t there

And begins her transaction

I raise my hand

And the lady behind the counter gets an annoyed look

And says

“Just a moment, sir.”

As if I’ve barked at her

It’s not the cutting

It’s not people taking advantage of patience

I understand that

It’s that after all that

They both think they got one over me

While I’m standing her not caring thinking

Man, their lives must be really based around nothing

And they are.