I know how to queue, much better than you,
I’ve stood on the round red spot,
that’s stuck on the ground like a huge tattoo
outside the bank, within earshot –
of the nice lady, who asks what I want,
as I yell out to her from the path,
I try not to be nonchalant,
while I explain, ‘I would like some cash!’
‘Have you tried the machine’, she shouts back,
as I roll my eyes to the sky,
‘Pay a bill?’, I say, from under my mask,
‘Pardon’, she calls in reply!
‘I can’t do it online’, I start to expound,
but she’s gone inside to find out,
If I qualify to spend all my pounds,
at the counter, or will I be bounced!?
I look at the staff, and have a flashback,
to those long distant days of yore,
when you strolled inside, and had a bit craic,
now you have to stand outside the door!
She’s back in a flash, I’m ushered in for cash,
and with a nod, she gives me a smile,
I follow the arrows and quite unabashed,
I wait in a line for a while.
Now, stand over there, go beside the brown chair,
make sure you’re away from the counter!
For a second, I thought ‘I’ll park my bum there!’
while I wait for my brief encounter!
I decide to behave, and soon I am waved,,m
to a screen to validate my actions,
It’s done with my pin, and readily paid.
A fantastic financial transaction!
It keeps us all safe, and we all like the place,
and everyone’s trying to help.
I’ll accept it with grace, put a smile on my face,
while embracing the hand that’s been dealt.
There’s one in, one out, it’s what it’s about,
It’s the world that we live in just now.
So queue on the spot and remember to shout,
– at the nice lady – but don’t start a row! X
Lorraine Weightman
