I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!
Quick trip to the grocery store
Walking through the aisles I see
my cart filling with carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower,colorful peppers, one cucumber, red grapes, blackberries, strawberries, lemons. . .
I pick up hummus, Beyond Meat Chicken Free Strips, coconut milk yogurt, dried mangos
(some tortilla chips too!)
On my way to get granola, I see
a student and his mom from years ago
“Hello!” I say, smiling to see how tall he has gotten since sixth grade
“Ms. Thought?” He asks. “I didn’t expect to see you here!”
His mom smiles, “Well, she has to grocery shop too.”
From my place at the grocery checkout I see
my organic vegan food being bagged
and I wonder
will I ever remember to bring my reusable bags?
and, what kind of person am I?
About to leave, I look over and I see
the college students I had noticed before
their giant jar of giant pickles is easy to remember
and I chuckle to see their giant peanut butter, multiple boxes of minute rice, trays of meat – but also some hummus.
At my car, I see
my plastic bags loaded into my Prius
and the irony is not lost on me
I will reuse and recycle these bags
but, that’s not enough to save the planet, so I’ll try harder next time.
On a Thought 
Ah. Those little moments of each day, perfectly captured as each day we strive to do better. Excellent poetic touch on your day. Thanks for sharing.
I like how you reflected on so much meaning in a mundane task like grocery shopping. Great slice!
I love the idea of doing a from my chair at the grocery story. I’m always observing at the grocery store.
Oh, great poem – a list poem married to free verse! I really like how you were able to make such an ordinary task into something meaningful to reflect on!