(Photo from Pixabay)
Happy Poetry Friday!
One of my least favorite household chores is shopping for groceries. During the pandemic it was grueling, and that was the only time my husband went with me (once or twice). Still, I persevere, because well, we need groceries, and because every once in awhile something surprising happens. I might run into a friend I haven’t seen in a long time, find a new food that looks interesting or, like what happened last week, overhear bits of conversation that inspire a fun poem.
Grocery Store Community
I shop alone.
I peruse the aisles,
plan meals,
ponder purchases
as quickly as I can.
Sometimes
bits of conversation
invade my reverie.
Excuse me.
This one’s the best. (I make a mental note)
Did you get the cheese?
Or
Peter…Peter…
Lila?
Brendan!
Children (or maybe spouses)
who strayed too far.
I look around,
help in the search,
realize
I never shop alone.
Draft, 2023RoseCappelli
And speaking of community, I’m thankful for this community of poets from whom I learn so much. Laura has the roundup today at Small Reads for Brighter Days. Be sure to stop by to hear about her April poetry project (you might want to join in!) and lots more poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
I’m with you on the grocery shopping, but you are right; Sometimes you see someone you haven’t seen in a while. Sometimes you catch a poem.
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Rose, you used rhythm to create such a lyrical, upbeat poem. It reminds me of Susan T.’s post today, about writing a found poem as you listen to the words around you. I love how you take a look around to find the missing person, and the conclusion, that you are part of that shopping community. Wonderful.
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Thanks, Denise. I’ll have to check out Susan’s post.
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I hear you on the grocery shopping chore. Luckily these days I make the list and my husband goes to the store to pick stuff up. Much easier. I might be missing out on interesting snippets of conversation though. 🙂
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Oh Rose! I love that you show us the layers of grocery shopping hidden in the dreariness. I have to admit: one of the hidden gifts of COVID for me is that my husband has taken over the shopping (gaw!!!). And I also admit to missing the aisles sometimes. 🙂
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It’s such a fun poem, and comment, about our world, Rose. I actually like going to the grocery, know most of the checkers and about their lives. Your words included especially those names, just right from what I hear too!
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Rose– thanks for sharing! So glad to read this today. Happy Poetry Friday!
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Oh, lovely, Rose. Such a joyful twist in the tail. Random conversations (and smiles) in shopping centres are a delight!
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In contrast, I LOVE grocery shopping! When I perceived myself to be poor as a beginning teacher, it was the only time I was sanctioned to spend money! Now, it’s a game to see if I can get everything on the list without any backtracking.
Your poem goes perfectly with Susan T.’s rules for writing Street Poems!
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Rose, I love this and the way you incorporated bits of overheard conversation into the poem. Yay. My favorite grocery shopping experiences were when my now-grown son was a toddler. He was so happy to be out and about and would say to grandmother-aged women, “What your name is?” and they’d tell him!
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Rose, I love how you’ve taken such an ordinary experience and shown how its part of the web that connects us all.
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I love that a simple grocery store visit inspired a poem. I complain because I don’t like shopping when it’s cold (terrible, I know). I’d never survive farther north.
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Perfect last line, Rose! Even when we’re alone…we’re never really alone. The grocery store sustains us in another way! 🙂
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Ha! This is great…and so true. I’ve become a fan of pick-up groceries.
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Your poem shows why we never shop alone. That’s why, maybe grocery stores are so appealing. My husband as taken over the shopping and I think that is why, maybe.
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