Venti Half-Caf, No Foam, Double Shot Soy Latte

by Denise Alden

This is no longer a safe space for me, this atmosphere

clouded with hoodies, these foreign languages I hear.

I would like to speak to the manager.

I come here every month after my manicure

before my book club, but this . . . cashier

imposes on my safe space, creates an atmosphere

of ill will and rudeness.  How do you ever manage her

when she’s not from here?  I mean, her family’s not from here.

I would like to speak to the manager.

I would like to be compensated for my time.  My calendar

is demanding; I believe I was here first.  I don’t mean to domineer

but I don’t feel safe in this space.  This atmosphere

used to be so nice, there was such a high caliber

of people; how I wish they would reappear!

I really would like to speak to the manager.

No, the real one.  The real one.  Not that amateur.

Look how you’ve turned my fears into tears.

This isn’t a safe space, this sketchy atmosphere.

I would like to speak to the manager.