Poetry

A Little Old Lady's Fear of Shopping

23/04/97
A LITTLE OLD LADY'S FEAR OF SHOPPING

They hang about the street, outside the shop;
They wear those baseball caps, some back to front;
They do kung fu and things, and yell and laugh.
A tightening fist of fear then grips my heart.

I sidle by smiling apologetically.

But once inside the shop, all I can think about
Is when I leave
And pass between those boys again.

Maybe one will push me down,
Maybe one will grab my purse,
Maybe one will hit my face -
Or worse.
This is a street of shame,
The boys are in control.