Supermarket Daze Poem by Don Dickenson

Walking down an aisle,
of a local super store,
Wanting just one article,
but knowing, I’ll buy more.
For products tempt my purse strings
in a wonderful display,
as I notice that great bargains
may be had, ‘just for this day.’

Bright posters sound the message,
excitedly they rave.
They tell me that the more I spend,
the more I’m bound to save.
And if I buy an item,
though unwanted and unsought,
another will be added, to the one
I wish, I’d never bought.

A survey of my trolley,
shows it full, and overflowing.
It must be, someone’s filled it,
without me ever knowing.
Worst of all, I have forgotten
what it was I came to buy
Powder for the washer?
Maybe steak and kidney pie?

The busy till at Check out,
records all my acquisitions.
And as I pack each purchase.
they confirm my first suspicions.
For things that challenge memory,
are going in the bag.
There is no time to pause or think,
the packing must not lag.

Cash back? That would be nice.
But caution prompts a swift decline.
It is enough to load the card,
for goods that are no choice of mine.
It’s true that I may never learn,
to shop prepared, with a tidy list.
How boring, shopping trips must be,
with nothing extra, nothing missed.