burke: WALKING THE AISLE #

I walk the Canberra supermarket aisles
hearing Ginsberg talking to Whitman
in my head and checking out
the faces of fellow shoppers for
recognisable facades - politicians
of all shades, public servants of
grey complexion and weekend wear.
Many men pass, looking like men
out of sorts in t-shirts and baggy shorts,
one leading the way followed by
a man behind a trolley, wearing
a laconic smile, like this is no place
for us, no place to be seen out of suits.
Oh what a mixed bunch the women are!
Many shapes and sizes, but most
dressed severely in black or grey.
Cheeriest of all are two pregnant ladies,
young, well groomed, wearing
colourful striped dresses that
proclaim their pregnant state, thereby
proudly declaring their individuality:
bearer of a baby and a handwritten list,
not another draft of a white paper.