with a bunch of grapes
and a hand of bananas
I can't help wondering
what I'm really doing here
standing in this big shop
with its bright lights
air conditioning
chiller cabinets
freezers
all humming the same tune
behind bing-bong
announcements
of special offers on dog
food
while six go through on the
other side.
I'm in the wrong line again
the checkout girl has a
bark of a cough
and the belt
is piled high
with plastic coated triple
wrapped
hygienically sealed things.
An old man ahead of me
with a frozen baguette
sneezes as we all take one
step forwards.
One step
nearer the checkout.
