In response to TFE's Post-a-Poem-Monday here is my effort. He asked us to write a poem about someone we saw in a cafe. Cafes do not feature highly in my life style but - unfortunately - Supermarkets do. So here is a chap I spotted there - sadly it is a growing breed. Heaven forbid that I should ever ask the farmer to push the trolley for me.
Little Grey Man.
Retired from the bank
after years of organising
men and money -
he pushes the trolley
while Mrs Grey Man,
firmly in charge,
organises tins and packets,
apples and bananas,
bread and chicken -
selecting only the best,
throwing them in,
marshalling him to
the correct aisle.
His the wallet at the check-out,
he surreptitiously
uses his calculator.
'Mrs Grey man',that was a nice touch, Weaver. A nice snapshot cocktail of observation,imagination and role reversal.It had a tragic air brushed lighter with humour.On another level, such a familiar scene too the woman in charge and the man fearing the pain in the wallet at the till.Ouch! Thanks for Joining Weaver,twas wunnerful!
ReplyDeleteRaised a smile! The couples that make me laugh are what we call the professional walking couples. He walks ahead (several large paces) with map and instruments. They wear matching waterproof coats. Not so far away from your pair.
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In my experience, ask a man to push a trolley, and you have a hard job keeping up with the rate he charges along the aisles! Shopping is best undertaken as a solitary occupation, I found, though now, I let the computer take the strain and have groceries delivered!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how a person can go from king in one corner to mouse in another. Thanks for the snapshot, Weaver!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read others' takes on your poem. It did have an air of sadness to it, but then I thought of my parents - my mother with the list, bustling up and down the aisles while my father follows with the cart. Her job is to plan the meals and make the list. His job is to take out the wallet and pay while she supervises the filling of the grocery bags. When I put it in that context it wasn't sad at all, but a picture of a lovely old couple, comfortable in and comforted by their long-time roles.
ReplyDeleteOh poor little grey man!
ReplyDeleteThe calculator bit at the end brought out a big smile! And I found myself wondering which pocket he pulled it out of. I believe it was the left inside breast pocket!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a treat Weaver, I loved the observation of the marriage, and then the pay-off was unexpected, very funny and so well delivered.
ReplyDeleteI do not, however, bemoan men pushing trolleys in the supermarket. I'm all for it!
I think I have seen the little gray man.
ReplyDeleteBut I have also see the poor little woman brow-beaten after many years of the beast-who-has-stopped-going- to -the -office!
Heaven forfend!
Glad you managed to leave a comment at my new blog!
I think I have seen the little gray man.
ReplyDeleteBut I have also see the poor little woman brow-beaten after many years of the beast-who-has-stopped-going- to -the -office!
Heaven forfend!
Glad you managed to leave a comment at my new blog!
hello weaver - nice one! i've not seen that scene yet but i've no doubt that at some point in time, i'll be privy to the horror in person!!! have a lovely day in the dale. steven
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that! He let's himself be pushed around - but he still controls the purse-strings. Well written.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Jinksy on the shopping. My Little Grey Man sits in the coffee shop with the Telegraph crossword while I do the shopping - much the best plan and I need the trolley to lean on after a busy day in the garden! I like your poem Weaver and it's fun to observe others isn't it? I wonder what they make of me as I mumble to myself over the apples and bananas!
ReplyDeleteRe the calculator: I couldn't help wondering is he tight - or is he terrified she's overspent? Could be either or both, I suppose.
ReplyDeletemarshalling is good. neatly observed but somehow a bit sad. Come the day...
ReplyDeleteI can see him distinctly before me! That's a gift Weaver that you possess. Thanks and also for your visitr!
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for that little grey man.
ReplyDeleteWell of course I forgot again. I was going to ask you to remind me Weaver. What a muddle head I am. Lovely and rather sad poem.
ReplyDeleteThat's really clever :-)
ReplyDeleteWeaver, I did it. Ok, it's a bit late but I've just posted my effort of a poem. Have a look tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant, Weaver! I love it - humorous and sad too - but as Pondside says, can be seen in another way.
ReplyDeleteI'm always happy to push the trolley for Maureen - especially when I can sneak a few packets of marshmallows in which she pretends not to see!
Hellooooooooooooooooooo! Just got back! This sounds good meme! How do we join?
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm Mr N pushing a trolley? Nay nay never!He doesn't do shopping! I love it however!
Wonderful commentary on life Pat, but heaven forbid, save me from a grey life!
ReplyDeletewhen you publish your little book of verse i want a copy!
ReplyDeleteHello Weaver,
ReplyDeleteThere is a sadness to this scene. My father was of a generation of men who did not shop! But it was one he learned to accept, even if, as Jinksy says, he was charging ahead. Roles are very different today.
Charming transition from the men and money to the groceries in the cart. I loved this, Weaver.
ReplyDeleteI loved your poem. Have you written others? Bernie
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments - opinions seem to be divided as to whether men should push trolleys round the supermarket while their wives do the shopping. I like Heather's idea of the man doing the crossword while the woman shops. I am not against men shopping it is just that there is something a bit pathetic about a man pushing the trolley. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteSorry comments are limited but my computer has been playing up today and I finally had to ring Dominic to come round and sort it out. Thanks Dom! No blog today - see you all tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteDenise - my computer is playing up and I can't leave a comment on your site today - if you want to join in the Monday meme go to Totalfekineejit's blog - he is organising it and I am sure he will be overjoyed to have another poem next Monday.
ReplyDeleteThat was lovely...life's changes :D
ReplyDeleteHave a Wonderful Day!
Enjoyed the poem and ALL the comments. My husband is always at the opposite side of the store when he has the trolley. I find myself clutching arms full of groceries, cursing under my breath and searching for him! Much simpler to do it online, especially where we live!
ReplyDeleteIn Canada, men always push the cart (trolley) if they are with their wives. Some men grocery shop on their own. But, I really liked your poem. To me it was about loosing independence. It is sad for us to loose our independence as we age, but it happens to most of us. I really enjoyed your observations. There was a smile in the intent. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteMy parents just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary, and in that time my dad has probably not set foot in a grocery store more than a dozen times, and knowing him, he's not about to start any time soon!
ReplyDeleteExcellent observations on a retiree's role reversal - an occurrence that happens much too frequently.
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