The Love Shopper Poem by John W. McEwers

When I saw you in Whole Foods
I knew I had to have you.

I didn't shop there much, so I took it as a sign as you
dug out organic bok choy they keep on the low rack.

Your yoga pants rode low
and your flip flops flopped

and there wasn't a better match made for me.

I walked home with ham.

I got some juice. Some crackers.

And though my ego was bruised, I couldn't return it.

In the game of love, it's caveat emptor.

Between the carrots and mushrooms,
you caught me, and though they were only so I could find you
later
when we had cruelly parted,
I let you delete the photos
as you demanded
from my phone.

I've held bok choy since that day.
I've perused the produce
and produced not a single regret.

If you were to ask me why I fall so easily
so fastily
so completely
in love with the women I see,

I would ask you
if you really have looked at the women in Whole Foods
because oh my god the women in Whole Foods -
my god -
they should offer cold showers on the way out.