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The deli at the Market Basket
the line long as Saturday morning
no one frustrated or angry
turkey chicken breast
roast beef slices
Hoffman’s cheese
bologna
pickled loaf whatever that might be
the staff dwarfed by the counter height
plastic gloves for sanitation
the slicing wheel adjusted for ham paper thin
slicing wrapping
measures wraps and tapes a sticker
price and weight
hands it over the counter and asks
anything else
people are different at the front of the store
impatient competition for the shortest line or
fastest cashier
meanwhile back at deli
the next in line ready now
penciled notes for slaw
imitation crab
half a pound of potato salad.