Daydream
At the money deli
I ordered a quarter pound of twenties,
lean.
The deli guy wrapped the bills neatly
in wax paper
and I stepped to the register
where the cashier asked me
how I wanted to pay.
I was stumped,
so I shuffled a soft-shoe
and sang When You’re Smiling.
The cashier clapped,
mildly amused.
“Very nice,” she said,
“but that’s an old song
and these are new bills.”
I hoofed it to the door
embarrassed and broke.
Bruce Rosner
Bruce Rosner is a poet and songwriter, and to keep the rain out and the refrigerator stocked, is a marketing communications strategist and copywriter. He has also conducted poetry writing workshops in elementary and middle schools in Southeastern Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor's degree from Temple University where he studied with the late poet, Henry Braun.