he looks clean enough but
seems crumpled
as though he’s been through the wash
but somehow eluded the iron
perhaps he’s lost
or just vague
certainly he appears distracted
as he propels the trolley
up and down
each and every aisle
a man who possesses no list
of what is needed
but hopes to know it
when he sees it
.
.
.
.
needles
sewing needles
should he
or shouldn't he
the decision requires
inordinate consideration
and study
halfway along the sundry-goods shelf
perhaps he is peering
not at the price
but into a future he can only glimpse
myopically
trying to picture himself
re-attaching a button
that hasn’t yet unravelled
from the sleeve of a shirt
he is yet to wear
imagining a domestic situation
with himself as solo protagonist
no
and there’s nothing needed
for the laundry
he becomes more decisive in meat
where the veal schnitzel
is particularly attractive
always easy to do in the fry-pan
two packs
one for tonight
one to freeze
vegetables warrant hardly a glance
another sign perhaps
of the limitations of his imagination
grapes though
yes
grapes are good
soft-drink cheese-slices
salami-smallgoods
a packet of gummy bears
milk and yoghurt
pre-pack fettuccini
with a microwave sauce
one quiche
a six-pack of meat pies
snap-freezes him for a moment
in the chill section
as he pauses to visualise again
this time it’s an image
of the space available
inside his own freezer at home
before he moves on
to toilet paper toothpaste
paracetamol shampoo
no condoms (sigh)
no socks
no jockettes
no razors
no soap
ah apple juice on special
on a corner where it catches his eye
he steers to the checkout
the only counter
where cigarettes are sold
for a carton of gaspers
to conclude
pauses at the exit of the shop
pondering
as if trying to recall an item
that should have been
on the non-existent list
shrugs his shoulders
and wanders towards the lotto outlet
tonight
he could get lucky
~
-
Author:
Frank Prem (
Offline) - Published: October 14th, 2017 00:47
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 23
- User favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet.
Offline)
Comments5
Good write Frank.
Cheers, O. Thank you.
Frank, that shopper could have been me! Love your poem.
I cannot tell a lie, Fred, it was me. Ever hopeful.
Ha ha - could it have been you were peeking at someone's purchases Frank or was it your talented imagination - hhhhmmm a great read to set the female mind thinking.
I think this piece is an accurate description of my shopping outings back then, and to some extent, still to this day. It was/is me, I'm afraid.
I know this feeling all too well Frank. ; )
Staring at the contents of the refrigerator
Wasted time, well maybe so
Now it’s a minute later
Than it was a minute ago
Many of us have been there, haven't we? Glad you enjoyed.
Let's see, what time is it? I was there just two hours ago. ; )
OH YES FRANK ~ Was that you behind me in the SUPERMARKET ! Thanks for caring for Listless Single Man ~ hating to shop ~ BUT ~ ab necessitum ~ having to shop ~ Thanks GOD for Ready Meals ~ precooked ~ prepacked ~ preeaten Yours BRIAN (33 and still single !)
I might have been in front in the single man queue, Brian. Glad you enjoyed.
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