I woke up obstinate and needing to wash clothes.
which meant changing a $10 into quarters to use
the apartment building's cheap machines
which meant a hike to the bank

or to the overpriced laundrymat four blocks away to
where "Change Machine for Customer Use ONLY" signs
are painted on the glass doors and I knew
what I had to do.

I stuffed a plastic bag with other plastic bags
then with an actually ***** T-shirt ,t for authenticity
and marched those four blocks fearlessly.
I yanked the door open and went inside

where the manager was guarding the change machine.
He eyed me like the rule breaker I really was -
I held up my bag and he grunted his approval.
I put in the bill and taking my quarters

strode to the back of the store to hide for a moment, for authenticity.
There I found a woman about two hundred years old
mixing salt with her Borax. "I learned this from the Martians"
she said and I nodded, wanting to ask & also afraid of her answers.

I waited another minute and headed to the door
passing the manager - as he opened his mouth
I said "Oh silly me, I forgot the laundry soap!"
walked out into the now golden day.