Grocery Store

A wonderful encounter at a grocery store today

I met a beautiful man in the self-checkout

Of a grocery store today…

“Next on 9” was what the cashier said,

I moved toward “9” but moved back,

as a wheelchair was blocking the way.

“Next on 9” was shouted again and I saw a man

in a wheelchair try to get out of the way.

Now, I jumped ahead and told the man,

That he didn’t need to move,

And that I had enough room.

His body was a crumpled leaf,

Yet, I could see that he could see,

As he commented on my groceries waiting

To be checked-out,

“I see you love your dog”

And he was right, I had way more in the basket for my dog than myself.

“Yes” I replied and quickly showed him a picture of my dog,

A random can rolled down between us,

I picked it up, he thanked me,

And asked me to give my dog a hug, from him;

And I agreed.

As I went to say goodbye and shook his hand I noticed,

Korean War Veteran pins on his jacket,

But mostly his smile and incredible eyes…

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

Sometimes we need to speak to people and have an unexpected encounter to appreciate the kindness and the gentleness inside the outer shell. Those are the moments that linger and remind us humanity and kindness are a live and well in this world.

I great write about an ordinary day that turns into a beautiful memory

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This makes me feel proud and reminds me why I will always thank someone for his or her service if I see a cap that calls out "Veteran"---
this story warms my heart.
j.

[Lorry]

Nice for a change to put yourself in place of what others see as only a hindering and see him for what he is, just another guy struggling while trying their best not to be seen as struggling.
Don't we all need to feel human and interact with others without treating one as less than human?
We are all just equally human when it all comes down to it.
Nicely captured.

[Davidgeo]

America's views on disability and social empathy are going through a bit of change right now. it's good to see things like this. We are all about to take a financial haircut but not everyone will be feeling it the same, we should try to empathize as often as possible with our fellow humans in this grocery line called life. All the coupons are about to be voided for a couple months.

[emmajoygreen]

What a great lesson to learn by everyone who reads this superb post. You have, with a poem-come-factual tale taught us what being aware by showing empathy really means IF only people would notice something as small as a veteran pin but, is far, far larger than an entire grocery store.

[Amanda Renee]

As always, thank you so much for your review, it really was a gift going to the store today, one never knows...

[emmajoygreen]

How very true and in a way, a lesson learned. Your words are very moving.

[K. Tietz]

The detail that you provide helps the reader build the scene at the grocery store self-checkout. This poem encourages one to be on the lookout for a similar encounter during the next visit to the self-checkout.