Under the Cart

Black mothers (and my sister)

have to teach special lessons to their sons

unwritten rules that are just now

starting to be put to pen

this little secret is out

but there are others

and I wonder

if every group unique

have their own best practices

how to survive

the one I think of most

my dear sweet momma taught me

the bottom of the cart

is where you put the groceries

you can least afford

hardest to see and easiest to forget

be polite

know which items to put back

if you are caught

don’t hold up the line