Waited in line an hour and a half
small talk about
middle schoolers
bubbly volleyball girls
giggle over who knows what 
on their phones
slipping out of their slides
into their court shoes
more chats
about precincts
changes
gasping "oh no!" 
as a voter is led
to a QR code
which reveals
where her vote
will count
"all that time in line..."
an attendant
reminds everyone to make 
sure they're
in the right
place
"stand behind the blue line, please"
almost there
"three more people"
and another set of lines
"should've voted early
but it always sneaks up on me
then I wind up
voting on
election day"
I.D. is ready
verbally confirm the address
"paper"
and the printer needs a refill
one ballot is printed
for curbside
mine is next
until it isn't
printer insists it's out of paper
when it's clearly full
I want to kick it
the next printout 
*fingers crossed*
is mine
bubble in, like in school
just don't get a detention
"I only went to the principal's office once
do you know why?"
I keep bubbling
"I wrote love letters to my French teacher!"
another line?
not for me
paper ballot is a fast pass
to the feeder
grab my sticker
"thank you"
I Voted