Self Check-out

Cash only.

There’s a man, let’s call him, Unjim.

Unjim disappears. His family worries.

Unjim is found. He is dead.

And we will never really know what happened.

because

we all die alone

and dead men tell no tales

but maybe he had

a very important meeting

maybe he set that meeting up, or it was scheduled for him

but its only maybes with Unjim.

speculations.

maybe he saw his future

when he looked at my mom

and the dementia eating her brain

reducing her to infant mentality

and maybe he said

no

it’s time to go

but its only maybes with Unjim.

and yet

to this day

i cannot decide which

is more brave

staying in the fight until

the bitter, painful, drawn-out end

or taking control of

the situation

and heading towards

the self check-out.

cash only.