Character sketch

Character Sketch

She gives her responses grudgingly-
like mean little gifts
she is resentful to be parting with.
She raises a pencil-drawn eyebrow
at your presumptiveness.
Because here you are- standing before her-
Waiting
Like an unanswered question
that hangs in the air.

Your face is vaguely cat-like-
Something about the tilt of the eyes
The smallness of the mouth
You are gentle, soft, sleepy
Your words when they come are slow-
Weighted with thought-you wonder-
She believes you wander.
She believes you are drowning in dreams.

She is a series of circles,
Round eyes, round open mouth, round body-
All of this spherical, symbolic eternity belies
The fact that she will cut you dead on a dime.
Your time in her presence will be shortened- abbreviated-
She uses words like ammunition
short, clipped, and as precisely aimed
As bullets
She smiles as she asks, "How can I help you?"

*Based on an interesting exchange I watched in a shop.