Pilgrimage to a grocery store

[tanya shukla]

For Ms. Andrea,
A voyage to a grocery store is a holy kind,
Pilgrimage to store after 6 is must.
Painstakingly adorned hair with kanzashi,
Delicately crimson painted lips.

Sets out ethereally on rout number five,
Enthroned high on the corner seat,
Majestic, every inch a royal
Like sultry Cleopatra on the golden voyage,
Flanked on left by Michael Kor.

Ranked high on Jimmy Choo,
Conjuring images of,
The healing sage,
The holy basil,
Savory turmeric.

Aromatic rosemary,
Every aisle a divine shrine,
Venerated with relics, figurines,
Nick knacks and herbs.

Intricate floral anklets

Made from Indian silver of the best kind
Miraculous argon pressed sands of Marrakech
Delicate Chinese hibiscus
Green emerald Persian pistachios

Victorian gothic chokers,
Every altar requires a gentle bow,
Careful inspection, a silent admiration.
A grocery store seminary for every type
Married or not.

[DATo]

Beautifully written. I enjoyed the way you describe the journey to the store much like a Roman Praetor's triumph as he enters Rome. She is a diva of her own creation and she moves among the finest offerings of the store like Cleopatra surveying the treasures brought to her by an adoring citizenry to honor her. And yet we are told that she rides on the corner seat of the #5 public transport. So we conclude that the glorified image of herself that is being presented is found only in her state of mind - a sort of pride in what she knows her appearance beguiles in others. The last two lines suggests that she may be looking for a husband? - or - that she is tempting to men both married and unmarried?

I do not know how accurate my interpretation is, but I do like your poem very much. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[tanya shukla]

Thank you for your very kind words. I really enjoyed reading your commentry on it, last two lines suggested that a shopping mall is tempting to both married and non married women.

[DATo]

Thank you for your explanation. You are a very capable writer. I enjoyed reading this poem very much.