Jane Marla Robbins on Poetry's Surprising Currency

Poet Jane Marla Robbins contributes a surprising story about bartering a poetry book for a driver's license in the Los Angeles Times's Op-Ed section. Robbins's story begins, "It’s 2019. I’m at the DMV in Culver City. To renew my driver’s license. Waiting." 

Lines around the block. I’ve reserved ahead so it’s only an hour wait. I’m tired, so the photo they take of me has one tired eye and I don’t get a second chance.

I finally get a number. I march to its window. The woman shuffles my papers. And did I want an ID card so I can board domestic flights without a passport?

“Is it hard to do?” I ask, sensing exhaustion everywhere. “Yes,” she says. But I ask for one. Only later do I ask, “Hard for you or hard for me?” and she answers, “Hard for me.” And then I feel sorry not only that I asked, but also that it’s hard for her.

She runs here and there. To one window. To another. I stand. I wait. She has conversations, drinks water, more conversations. She returns, finishes her paperwork and says, “That will be $28.”

“Great,” I say, and whip out my credit card.

“We don’t take credit cards,” she parries. “Only debit cards, cash and personal checks.” I only have the card.

Continue reading via Los Angeles Times.