Anyways, Thank You

The bolt slid home today after I entered the stall

to take care of my business.

I thought a moment about the arrangement.

Stalls on cubicles in Women's restrooms have locks that (usually) work.

Are they there to protect us?

Maybe to allow us to have

One. Moment. of. Peace. to. finish. Wordle?

Or to guard against our revealed perineum tempting

-someone?-

as we eliminate and void from our bodies?

Just : the paper is fastened too low to the wall

and wound too tightly and flatly-compacted

to be of much use or bodily comfort,

and the cell itself is so-tight and confining,

and sometimes used pads and plugs

go in the metal box

and sometimes they are swaddled

and borne discretely

to the trash.

Maybe that's why we travel in prides?

Maybe someone can stand guard at the broken-locked door?

Another can get a square if the damned spindle is empty?

Yet another can gently prompt the courtesy flush?

Anyways-

thank you for the lock.