Today’spoem

Clapham Junction full of prams, Gormless gaping by the hams, Ditherers standing by the meat, Children darting under feet. Playground just across the park, Like this better — more a lark, Trolleys, aisles and hide and seek, Walk on steady, don’t be meek. Chitty chats twixt long-lost friends, Poor old shopper stoically wends Their weary way to get the grub, Lost within the deafening hub Of shouting shoppers miles away, Planning menus for the day. ‘Is it beans or was it peas?’ ‘Can I take this home to freeze?’ ‘Has it passed its sell-by date?’ ‘Hurry up, I can’t be late.’ Nearly at the check-out now, I can hear another row. Smiling lady on the till Waiting, waiting, waiting still, Smart young shopper with their load Slowly getting into mode. Oh dear God, they’ve lost the plastic Nothing really is more drastic. Checkout patient as a dove ‘Will you want some cash back, love?’ And there she queues, the OAP. All she wanted was some tea!