Grocer's Daughter
After homework she stands at the counter,
narrows her eyes till shoppers twist and jerk
around the aisles. She boxes them up
like Daz, Surf, Fairy, her favourite category
Homeowners. She knows which customers
take extra care as they deadhead roses,
dab at windows with chamois leather,
wax bathroom tiles, respectable
as Sundays. These will be her people
always. She pats her hair, hooks the handle
of a wire basket over the crook
of her arm.
After homework she stands at the counter,
narrows her eyes till shoppers twist and jerk
around the aisles. She boxes them up
like Daz, Surf, Fairy, her favourite category
Homeowners. She knows which customers
take extra care as they deadhead roses,
dab at windows with chamois leather,
wax bathroom tiles, respectable
as Sundays. These will be her people
always. She pats her hair, hooks the handle
of a wire basket over the crook
of her arm.
