He wakes up in the morning, as the world does,
ready to take on the day with a joyous attitude.
He celebrates the beautiful day as he makes his way to his second home.

He takes his place at the cash register after greeting his pals
and acknowledges his first customer of the day with a bright smile.
But, behind his smile is the ghost of a rough past, and the customer’s grin, too, holds
deep secrets,
for bad things happen to everyone; the world goes through it.

He continues on through the rest of his shift with a beaming expression in place
until he finally retires to his home.
That dazzling smile never leaves the underworked cashier’s face
as he eats dinner alone.