“Do you want the Purple Heart stamp?” the clerk suggests. That’s it, you say, “And I’ve got one.”

PURPLE HEART, PURPLE CHEEKS BY PAMELA SUMNERS 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 70

You’re a nasty old man who doesn’t hold doors for ladies

(not that I expect you to, but since you’re old, I’d hold

one for you). But you boorishly slug your way through

the post office …