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The Single Man

At lunchtime I pop into Tesco’s -

Bad timing for speed

But I need a few things for tea.

 

There’s a long line at the speedy self-service

And the counters and cashiers are worse

So I fall into last place of baskets only

Sighing

When I spot a clear counter

With a new cashier!

 

I move fast

And beat a laden cart to first place.

Hard on my heels darts a young man

Mid-thirties maybe

With his sandwich and soda for lunch.

I flash him a smile: Aren’t we lucky!

 

Quickly  but orderly I set out my items

So I can pack without squashing fruit

Or fresh bread.

I’m fishing for a fiver when

The young man leans forward:

I’m single.

 

I find that bill and my Tesco card

Hand these to the girl and turn sweetly:

Never married - single?

Divorced - single?

Or separated - single?

A snort erupts behind the register.

 

Ah …………………………...

But I’m fast.

I pocket my change, whisk up my goods

Smile again at the eager chap

With the healthy pink adenoids

And I’m gone.

 

At least he was honest.

I feel kind of bad – but not too much.

My rings were flashing under his nose.

 

 

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas

May, 2014

◄ The Mirror

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Comments

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charliebrogan

Wed 10th Sep 2014 17:31

I LOVE this! It's wonderfully un pretentious, accessible but so cleverly put together. (My favourite kind) xxx

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Phillip Kelly

Mon 7th Jul 2014 15:03

I LOVE THIS POEM.....many a time...i in same situation as a single guy ..eyeing up beautiful young women,..but would never have confidence to proposition lady in public...lol....THIS IS THE STYLE AND TYPE OF POETRY I WANT TO WRITE....free verse...like story...no set rhythm , format or rhyme scheme....

could you plese give me a few tips on how to successfully write in this free verse, fiction like style of poetry?

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Dave D Poet Rhumour

Wed 18th Jun 2014 22:47

Hehe - a well spun tale Cynthia, with a hint of fresh mischief - on behalf of the young man of course... Best wishes, Dave

<Deleted User> (9882)

Wed 18th Jun 2014 20:14

Cynthia-'without squashing fruit or fresh bread'indicates to me that you have other items in your bag.

then-you 'fish for a fiver'
then-you 'pocket my change'

bloody norah! which branch of Tesco's do YOU shop at?

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Lynn Dye

Wed 18th Jun 2014 19:57

Very enjoyable piece, Cynthia. I like this a lot.

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Isobel

Mon 26th May 2014 11:14

Healthy pink adenoids - now there's an image to conjure with ;)

Your poems always leave one with something to think about! x

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Dave Bradley

Sun 25th May 2014 21:31

There's a sense of mischief which runs through this poem delightfully, Cynthia.

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