I Want Them All Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Went for a walk but stopped at the Chinese shop, a pink
sling bag, just big enough for my cell phone, a leathery
flower on the side, immediately abandoned my project of
buying a small fairy basket with shiny silver sequins, the
sling bag won hands down so now every dull black and
grey outfit of mine – 95% of my wardrobe - will be
enlivened with a dash of bright pink

Waved to the dangerous Russian-in-a-roll lady on my
way back, the friendly receptionist at the optometrist,
ran into Mandy, the apartment block manager and we
sang “Smoke gets in your eyes” on the sidewalk, then
“Sounds of Silence” without a backward glance – after
all, this is Africa, everyone does what they like, nobody
cares as longs as you wear a broad smile

Back at my desk with earphones full volume to escape
the infernal noise and think of my next step: what to buy
tomorrow, the fairy basket or more white flowers for my
hat - I cannot decide as I want them all…

7 October 2013