So that I can enjoy my potato bread sandwich
with turkey and cheese layered, but not too
heavy, Gloria, who works behind BJ’s deli counter,
will push the oven-roasted breast into 
the spinning blade and hold up a single slice
for you to decide: thicker? thinner? good here?
She will do the same to the mild cheddar,
quiet except for the beep of the scale, routine.
So that we can relate in  the moment, your companion
will make a kindly self-deprecating comment
and Gloria will smile with off-center teeth.
Your own smile will – later – make her work,
those ‘good here’ slices, disappear on rolls
fed well by another’s perfect judgment.
Lord, bless the hand that steadies the knife.