The Eternal K-Mart Layaway Odyssey
by Sherman Alexie

Every summer, skinny and poor, and the survivor
______of a constant war, I collected aluminum cans.
And sold them for ten cents a pound at Recycled Joe’s.

Our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man.

Late August, and I was desperately trying to earn enough cash
______to make the last payment on my new school clothes.