By Tahera Mayat
Would you like a receipt?
The cashier asks me
I know I should say no
It’s not at all important
So…would you like a receipt?
“Sorry, yes of course!” I say
Rapidly blurting out my default answer
As other customers sigh with impatience
I grasp the receipt and do
A juggling act with my change
Knowing the receipt will stay in my purse
For weeks or months on end
Until my purse is bursting with
Receipts and I take a fleeting
Journey down shopping memory lane
Before I recycle unimportant receipts