She checks her receipt next to the till.
She looks at the red peppers, white onions,
celery, broccoli, eggs, cheese, tomatoes,
tiger rolls, avocados, olive oil, Greek yogurt,
and salt and vinegar Pringles
in her supermarket’s anniversary tote bag
and then back at the words typed
on the bit of paper that is as thin
as her confidence in strangers.
It’s all fine, she thinks, and heads off
to remember when things like shopping
were as simple as waking up.

© Carl Burkitt 2021